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On the Portimao track, Danilo Petrucci took another step forward in his progression, climbing onto the third step of the podium in Race 1 after dictating the pace for about two-thirds of the race. It was a great result for Petrux, who had already proven his speed in both free practice and Superpole, which ended by securing the front row with the third fastest time.
"I'm tired and I'm literally boiling, but I'm really happy, because the podium was the goal," the Barni team rider remarked at the end of the race. "I think I was leading an SBK race for the first time in my career and I'm happy about that. I was pushing and making my pace, but I knew it was going to be really complicated to take some margin on Toprak. I was worried about the riders behind me, so I tried to stay up front to create some problems for Toprak, but it was not enough and in the end I was the one who was struggling with the front. When Alvaro came in he had a good pace and I tried to stay with them. I think we were even faster than Toprak in the last two laps, but I think he has something more right now. Still, I can't be anything but happy, considering everything I've been through this year. I'm really very satisfied for today."
In fact, to have achieved such a performance after the terrible motocross accident last April can only make the rider from Terni even more proud.
"To fight with Alvaro and Toprak is an honor and a source of pride for me, because they are two of the greatest talents I have ever known. That's why I'm really happy to have been there," he admitted, "Let's say there have been a lot of strong emotions this year and we were showing a good pace even before the crash. For sure, I found more strength after the injury and I can enjoy more what I have in my life. Especially my health, which is the most important thing. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if I weighed 20 or 15 kilograms less, if I was faster in a straight line or if I had an official bike, but in the end the fact that I am 95 percent with my health is what matters most and gives me great strength."
Although his arm is still not 100 percent, it was not the physical condition that prevented Danilo from defending second place from Bautista's comeback.
"I was a bit in trouble from the start, however, I kept a good pace and did not overdo it, because I knew it would be a difficult race at the end. However, I lacked a little bit of rear traction in the second half of the race, when I was still in the lead, and that meant that I couldn't close the corners well, because the bike didn't turn much when I released the brakes and my front end closed a little bit," he explained, "I was a little bit in trouble and I lost a little bit of pace. When Toprak passed me, I tried to stay there, but I think Alvaro had something more in the way of tire. I fought with the last two World Champions, so I can be satisfied for today."
After all it was since MotoAmerica that Petrucci hadn't been in the lead of a race. "I was finally riding on my own, but let's just say it wasn't very nice to lead the race with Toprak behind, because you never know when he's going to come," he said, smiling. "Now, though, I've led a race in every championship I've been in, from MotoAmerica to MotoGP, including SBK, Superstock and Dakar."
Then thinking about the future, Petrucci commented on the fact that he has not yet signed a renewal with the Barni team and on the possibility that Marco Barnabò's structure could field two bikes in 2025.
"The problem is Barni's, because if he continues to wait I will cost him even more! I cost more every day," he commented, laughing, "I think it's always good for performance to have two bikes so you can compare and have something to look at. Then, I hope there will be Yari (Montella, ed.) on the second bike, because he is very fast and I think he will be a great talent in Superbike as well."
