SBK Australia: Danilo Petrucci comments on the Phillip Island “scuffle”

After finishing eighth in the pouring rain in Race 1, Danilo Petrucci leaves Australia with an eleventh-place finish in the SP race and ninth place in Race 2. The Italian is pleased with this, not so much for the points scored but for his constant improvement over the three days at Phillip Island.

Petrucci comments on his performance

---

Petrucci grew session by session in fact, gradually reducing the gap to the top five despite having to get to grips with a brand-new format that, in WorldSBK, sees riders compete in three races per weekend.

“I wanted to be the best rookie in all three races, but I only managed two out of three because Aegerter stopped me in race” comments the Italian. “I’d have liked to start the season with three top ten finishes but they knocked me around in the Superpole Race”, says Petrux with the usual touch of irony.

Petrucci and the SP Race “scuffle”

---

Danilo admits that the SP Race was difficult for a rookie like him. “The first lap was a bar fight, they went at me like it was the last lap. I’m still hurting from all the blows as I wasn’t used to that (he laughs), and by the time I reached the finish line I’d lost my wings due to the contact with others. My first experience of the Sprint race was terrible, I’ll need to adapt.”

Petrucci optimistic after Race 2

---

Race 2 went decidedly better: “I’m pleased because, after Toprak and Lowes’ crashed, I was able to catch the leading group again, but then in the final four laps I lost contact with Aegerter, Lecuona and Rea after my tyre performance dropped”.

“I need to build confidence with the front but, all in all, I’m pleased with my weekend. I wanted to fight at the front but those guys are very strong. Alvaro has it all under control and it won’t be easy to reach his level. I know it will be tough at Mandalika because I don’t even know the track. But if I had to give myself a grade after Phillip Island, I’d say A 7”, concludes Petrucci.