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Danilo Petrucci smiles and, at the same time, makes the Barnabò team happy, giving them that success in the independent category that they haven’t had since 2018, when Xavi Forés was the star in Race 2 in San Juan. This long period was interrupted at the end of a weekend during which the rider from Terni brilliantly rode the Panigale V4.
“I’m finally back in the parc fermé, even if as best independent rider,” Petrux said. “I think the whole team deserved this result after such a long time. Step by step, we’re making a come back, even if the goal remains getting on the podium.”
The glass is certainly half full for Petrucci.
“I thought Mandalika was the toughest round, but it was the best of the season. Today, I also started to figure out the behavior of the tires, and I managed to progress and be competitive until the end.”
Danilo’s attention then shifts to the Sprint Race.
“The superpole race is like bumper cars. I don’t understand certain riders, especially Lowes. What he did today is unacceptable. He broke Baz’s leg and destroyed my exhaust on the first lap and my tail. I can understand that he made a mistake, but you have to give him a penalty for what he did. You don’t give him a restart and even the third-place prize. That doesn’t really make sense.”
Danilo is unmistakably angry.
“I understand he didn’t do it on purpose, but Lowes should have been penalized. I went to race direction and, as an explanation, I was told that Baz put his leg out. That doesn’t make the slightest sense. What does that mean? Personally, I’ve never seen anything like that. In Australia, I was rightly pushed back by one position for touching Vierge but, here, nothing with Alex.”
Petrux doesn’t mince words on the topic.
“I can understand that. Like someone said, this is the SBK. But, if you make a mistake, you have to be penalized. In Austria in 2016, I hit Laverty and was pushed back three places on the grid in the race that followed. Nothing here, as if nothing happened. I think this is totally illogical.”
Now all that Petrux can do is look ahead and think about Holland.
“I can’t wait to go to Assen, since I’m curious to see what my potential will be on the Ducati. We’ll do some work on the bike during the break, with the aim of being competitive and fast in Holland.”
