Danilo Petrucci: ‘WorldSBK is crazy, one of the closest championships I’ve been in’

Danilo Pe💃trucci says he could have ‘fought for the win’ in Race 2 of the WorldSBK season-opener if he had ‘two more laps’.

Andrea Iannone, Danilo Petrucci, race 2, Australian WorldSBK, 25 February
Andrea Iannone, Danilo Petrucci, race 2, Australian WorldSBK, 25 February

Second-year WorldSBK rider 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Danilo Petrucci was one of the fastest riders in Race 2 as 🃏he carved his way through the field in the closing stages.

Able to overhaul Andrea Iannone and Michael Rinaldi, Petrucci was then elevated into a podium spot when Andre♈🅷a Locatelli crashed out of third place on the final lap. 

Alvaro Bautista and eventual race winner Alex Lowes were a couple of seconds u🐼p the road, but Petrucci’s pace appeared to be strong enough to match the leaders, if not faster.

However, dꦰespite the final lap battle between Bautista and Lowes, Petrucci ran out of laps and instead had to settle for P3, his first podium of the season.

Speaking after Race 2, Petrucci added: “WorldSBK is really crazy! I finished P15 but had the same bike as yesterday, it was difficult to🌼 ride and I was nervous.

“In Racꦓe 2, I was behind Toprak when the engine went and then behind Jonny when he had a massive cras🧜h.

“In the restart, I was there and I wanted to be top Independent but Rinaldi was far. Then, he started losing time and me and Iannone were coming🍃 through. 

“With three to go, I was two seconds from the lead but then on the last lap𝕴, I was just one second. Maybe with two more꧂ laps, I could have fought for the win!

“As I predicted in WorldSBK, 🌟you can finish in P15 or P3. 15 riders can finish on the podium and it's unbelievable how close it is.

“The rules made have been good♌ and they're helping everyone. I think this is one of the closest Championships I've ever been in.”

Another Ducati rider who seemed to have the pace to challenge for a race win was Rinaldi, who u🎶nlike Petrucci sh🌠owed his best speed early on.

But as the race went on Rinaldi began to sl🌱ip down the order due t🐷o blisters on the rear tyre.

“I'm happy with the progression,” began Rinaldi. “Unfortunately in race two I had blisters on the rear tyre and I wasn't able to challenge for the victo💖ry. However, we ജleave aware of our speed.”

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