Andrea Iannone needed a helpful reminder of World Superbikes’ rule🐼s ahead of his comeback from൩ a four-year absence.

A doping ban hꦕas kept the ex-Mo💧toGP rider sidelined since 2019.

Iannone, now aged 34, has ꦗjoined GoEleven Ducati in WSBK this year.

“I don’t know what to expect,” he said ahead of꧙ this weekend’s season-opener in Phillip Island.

“Everything is new for me.

“The format is completely different. I needed my teꦐam manager to explain the rules to me!

“I am really excited.

“It’s a strange feeling. But 🉐I am happy to be hꦅere.

“This is what I have loved most, all my life.”

Iannone has frequently been a part of test days with MotoGP Ducati riders over the past year as he ramped up h♏is comeback plans.

But increasing th🌺e speed during preseason has provided a greater gauge of his true potential, and there is𝕴 some excitement over Iannone’s addition to the grid.

He assessed his preparation: “Not bad. I am a little bit 💮surprised.

“The speed, in general, was high. We weren’t ♈sure, at the beginning.

“In four years I never tried to ride a race bike.

“It’s a good preseason for us.”

What can Ia🍨nnone realistically achieve after a four-year absence? In a brand-new serieﷺs?

“We want to try 🐼to fight with the 🅷best riders,” he insisted.

“The first 10 positions is our goal, our target.

“When we arrive higher than 10th, it is perfect.

“Step by step, race ℱby time, we need to improve and achieve better results.”

But surely Iannone is targ🍸eting podiums - and perhaps more - at some stage this year?

He answered: “Realistic? It is difficult because I’m coming back🔴.

“It’s a cl෴ea🀅r situation. We will try our best, for sure.”