A podium on the WorldSBK season opener in Australia appeared to be the proper strategy to begin 2025 for Danilo Petrucci, however on paper his outcomes fell off barely in Portimao.
At spherical two, the Barni Ducati rider – now in his third yr of World Superbike – was fourth in Race 1, behind Yamaha’s Andrea Locatelli, then fourth within the Superpole Race, and sixth in Race 2 after a stunning begin.
Petrucci defined that an issue when choosing first gear on the grid led to his poor begin in Race 2.
“We had an issue,” he instructed WorldSBK.com. “Sincerely, we don’t perceive what occurred, however, after I pushed the lever to place first gear, the gear didn’t [engage] utterly, so the launch management didn’t [engage].
“Then, after I launched the clutch, second [gear] went instantly in as a result of I pushed one other time. So, let’s say half and half of errors, however then when you find yourself seventeenth on the first nook you already know that your life shall be actually robust.”
He added that, after the race was red-flagged on lap eight, he rode with a pre-heated rear tyre.
“I don’t know if the pink flag has helped us as a result of on the finish I used to be fairly near [Michael] van der Mark and [Andrea] Locatelli within the first half of the race,” he mentioned.
“Then, [after the red flag], I used to be actually busy with the opposite riders, a superb combat, however I used to be with a pre-heated tyre and the sensation was not likely good, however we had a superb combat.”
Petrucci additionally mentioned that he was disenchanted to have misplaced his entrance row beginning place within the Superpole Race to a late-charging Alvaro Bautista.
“Sincerely, a bit disenchanted about [the Superpole Race] after I misplaced third place with Alvaro [Bautista],” he mentioned.
“On the finish now we have to have a look at the optimistic – we’re third within the championship – however no trophy for me this time. Final yr I went dwelling with two, this time simply the third place [in Superpole].”
The optimistic for Petrucci was that, regardless of lacking the rostrum all weekend, he was nonetheless in rivalry for it when the entire different satellite tv for pc Ducatis – who had been there within the rostrum battle in Australia – had been struggling.
“Precisely,” Petrucci mentioned when the purpose was introduced as much as him.
“Possibly additionally coming right here for 2 days of testing has been not likely good as a result of we modified lots the bike, particularly on the electronics facet, and the observe situation was actually totally different [on the race weekend],” he added.
“So, on the finish, we nonetheless don’t perceive if it was higher or not, however on the finish now we have been actually near Nicolo [Bulega] who in the meanwhile is the reference.
“Sincerely, I might have wish to have stayed in entrance of Alvaro, however this morning he was sooner than me and this afternoon too, then with the issue…
“However, on the finish, if it’s a must to take a look at the optimistic, we’re all the time there and no mistake within the final lap, I nearly crashed additionally, good factors and searching ahead to Assen.”
