Danilo Petrucci: ‘Why don’t I watch WorldSBK races closer?’
Former MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci has joked that his decision to join the World Superbike championship was motivated by the chance to watch the thrilling racing more closely.
The popular Italian - a double winner in MotoGP, Dakar stage winner and MotoAmerica title runner-up - makesꦇ his WorldSBK race debut in this weekend’s Phillip Island season opener.
“I always wanted to come one day to r🅷ace in WorlꦬdSBK,” said the Barni Ducati rider. “The Championship is getting stronger and the fight for the title last year was huge.
"I said to myself, ‘why don’t I watch t𓂃he races closer?’ so I decided to join this Championship and I am really happy!”
But🌊 th🦹at also means getting used to a three-race format.
“I was used to giving all I had in one race in MotoGP, so that on one night, I could enjoy with my team and friends and have two or three be༒ers! Then last year, I went to MotoAmerica, and I said, ‘oh no! I have one more race!’ and now, we have three!"
The Italian, who last raced at the famous A🥃ustralian circuit as a factory Ducati MotoGP rider in 2019, added:
“I’m still worr♚ied about the single lap time with the new tyre. The race simulation was OK; managing th💃e tyre was quite a big challenge but I felt good.”
Remy Gardner Australian WorldSBK, 23 February
Remy Gardner: 'Top six or seven possible'
An🍌other former MotoGP rider making his WorldSBK debut this weekend is home star 💎Remy Gardner.
The 24-year-old was promoted to MotoGP on the 🌠back of winning the Moto2 title, but꧒ left without a seat after just a single season at Tech3 KTM.
Gardౠner is now ma♓king a fresh start with GRT Yamaha.
“It’s been a good pre-season and I enjoyed riding the bike. Thereܫ’s no better place to start than at home so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “The strong points are, I think, the bike turns pretty well at the front and it’s a good braking bike. I think it’s missing a little bit of traction and a little bit of engine compared to the other manufacturers.
“It’s a go꧙od bike, really happy with it. There’s still a lot more potential I can get out of it. It’s another thing that I need𓄧 to get used to and learn. This week’s going to be a big learning curve for me. Three races are definitely something very new and I’m just taking it step by step. I think being in the top six or seven can be possible.”
ꦅPeter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
