Emotional Iannone overwhelmed by Qatar podium

An emotional Andrea Iannone completed an all-Italian rostrum in the Qatar MotoGP as the Ducati rider clinched his maiden premier class rostrum on his proper race bow for the Italian factory.

Iannone appeared to be dropping off the pace in the closing stages of the race but found a second wind to battle back, usurping Movistar Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo to grab a coveted podium and putting a second Ducati GP15 onto the box alongside team-mate and runner-up Andrea Dovizioso.

It was a special moment for Iannone, who never dreamed of making such a promising start to his career as a factory Ducati rider.

"It's a really special moment for me in my first race for the factory Ducati team and I am really happy for this. In the beginning I didn't think this would be possible for me but now I am really emotional with my first podium, it is a fantastic moment," he said.

"The bike is really good, it is really strong and this winter the guys worked a lot to improve the bike and I am really happy for this because I ride very well. In my first race I go up to the podium here and it is so fantastic for me."

Iannone also tipped his hat to race winner Valentino Rossi and conceded that he didn't have the pace to challenge for the race win at Losail, but once he realised he had more left in reserve that Lorenzo he maximised his potential to break into the top three.

"Vale is really strong, I think for every time! I am really happy to fight a little bit with him, but today I did not have a lot of potential to fight for the victory but I tried my best and in the last part of the race I understand I have a little more potential than Jorge [Lorenzo]," Iannone said.

"I tried to pass Jorge and this first podium for me is really important in this moment."