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In today’s MotoGP gossip column Andrea Iannone has admitted he ‘suffered a lot’ with doping ban and subsequent future without MotoGP, while former 250cc world champion Marco Melandri makes headlines by joking about contracting COVID-19.

Aleix Espargaro has spoken out in support of Aprilia MotoGP team-mate Andrea Iannone, following this week's shock announcement that his 18-month doping ban has been increased to 4-years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Continued uncertainty over Andrea Iannone's appeal against his doping ban, also means Bradley Smith has no idea when his MotoGP season will end.

There is less than one month to go until MotoGP's new season-openers take place at Jerez, on July 19 and 26th. But at present, Aprilia's 2020 rider line-up remains unconfirmed.

Danilo Petrucci will be the rider making way for Jack Miller at the factory Ducati MotoGP team next season.

Andrea Iannone's lawyer, Antonio De Rensis, has outlined the basis for their upcoming appeal against the Aprilia star's 18-month MotoGP ban.

- Diario de Jerez reports that a virtual meeting will be held today (Thrsday) to formally agree that the Jerez circuit will host the opening roun of the MotoGP season on July 19, then a second race one week later.

- Aprilia technical director Romano Albesiano believes “every team manager would want Andrea Iannone as a rider” following speculation around a potential return to Pramac.

While the 2020 MotoGP rider market had been set to dominate the headlines this year, the unexpected coronavirus shutdown could see older riders delay retirement plans to stay in the sport.

If Pramac finds itself needing a new MotoGP rider for 2021 and Andrea Iannone is available, pending the outcome of his appeal against an 18-month doping ban, the satellite Ducati team would consider a reunion with The Maniac.

MotoGP’s silly season had been set to erupt and rumble on throughout 2020 but with the campaign postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic all plans have been put on hold.

- Max Biaggi says he misses his rivalry with Valentino Rossi from their racing days, both the good and the bad days, and feels the pair clashed because “we were different people”.

Max Biaggi is the latest figure within the Aprilia organisation to question the 18-month ban handed to the factory's MotoGP star Andrea Iannone by the FIM.

Andrea Iannone is officially banned for 18 months following a lengthy investigation and FIM hearing into his anti-doping case.

- Former Honda team manager Livio Suppo says he suggested both Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa should retire after one lap of the infamous 2015 Valencia MotoGP finale to avoid being part of the controversial conclusion of the world title fight between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, but the idea

Andrea Iannone has taken to social media to give his reaction to the 18-month ban he’s been handed following his FIM anti-doping hearing for a prohibited substance from last November’s Malaysian MotoGP.

If Andrea Iannone could wind back the clock on his racing career, one thing he would change is leaving Ducati at the end of 2016.

- Aleix Espargaro appears to call a truce with Aprilia team-mate Andrea Iannone to regain a peaceful environment inside the squad.

Three weeks is a long time for a lot to happen in any sport but in this unprecedented period amid the coronavirus pandemic MotoGP’s picture changes even quicker.

The next round of MotoGP gossip starting with Jorge Lorenzo on his retirement call and whether he could still make a return to full-time racing…

In the latest MotoGP gossip round-up, Andrea Dovizioso has his say on the influence Jorge Lorenzo had at Ducati during his two-stint at the team, a decision on Andrea Iannone’s anti-doping case is expected and Valentino Rossi on his tyre life worries.

In the latest round-up of MotoGP gossip, Andrea Dovizioso expects Marc Marquez to be in the world title tussle whatever shape his Honda is in, Romano Fenati becomes a crime-stopper and Aleix Espargaro hits out at Aprilia team-mate Andrea Iannone.

Aleix Espargaro and Aprilia have already been labelled as the dark horses for the 2020 MotoGP season and their pre-season testing momentum continued to build on the final day in Qatar.

While Aleix Espargaro has been positively impressed by Aprilia’s 2020 RS-GP MotoGP upgrade, he’s also felt an overall shift in how the team operates and hopes the combination of changes provide progress in terms of results.