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MotoGP, Petrucci: "I'm ready for the factory Ducati"

"This will be the last year with Pramac, I want to deserve the Factory team. In the tests I'll work on my ride, trying to be less aggressive" 

MotoGP: Petrucci: "I'm ready for the factory Ducati"

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Besides the battle for the World title, in 2018, the rider transfer market will be competing for the limelight in the top class. Marquez, Dovizioso, Rossi, Lorenzo: the future is still a question mark for a lot of names. Included on this list is also Danilo Petrucci, who dreams of a spot on the Borgo Panigale Factory team. The Italian rider has absolutely no intention of letting it get away from him after years of experience with Pramac.

It is 99% sure that this will be my last year with Pramac – Danilo reminded us – I have an option for the factory team, which has always been my dream. If that doesn’t happen, I’ll have to look around, trying to be as fast as possible on the track.”

In recent years, the Pramac apprenticeship has highlighted Petrucci’s qualities on several occasions, fresh from his eighth place in 2017.

“I think that I am ready for the factory team, but I need to deserve it – Petrucci admitted – Unfortunately, I am not the one who decides. Ducati will take the first three races of this Championship, whereas I will need to show that I am competitive.”

Rider transfer market aside, then there are the Sepang tests which will begin on Sunday.

“I must say that, as busy as it was, this winter was not as long as expected. In this second test, I’ll focus on my riding style, trying to be smoother in terms of acceleration – he analysed – With these tyres we have seen that in certain situations you can make the bike flow easily, whereas in others it gets more complicated. A lot depends on the asphalt, but at the same time it depends on the rider’s style.”

Indeed, riding style, which is an aspect on which Danilo places particular attention.

I am an aggressive rider and sometimes I struggle – he admitted – In fact, with these Michelin tyres, I need to be smoother, trying to conserve the tyres and setting aside my instinct. Unfortunately, sometimes it does not come so naturally, so we will need to work in this direction.”  

His final comment, on the other hand, is for the GP18 tested on the Malaysian track by testers Stoner and Pirro.

“They told me that it is easier and less physical – he revealed – Although they did not go into too much detail. Obviously, the bike can be beautiful, fast and easy, but the only thing that counts in the end is the clock (smiling).”

 

Translated by Jonathan Blosser

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