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MotoGP Assen: Petrucci confirms he is a genuine contender

Octo Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci stepped on to the MotoGP podium for the second time this year at Assen this afternoon, following great mate Valentino Rossi home by 0.063s but was upset as backmarkers Hector Barbera and Alex Rins cost him a chance at the to step.

Petrucci has really found his rhythm with the Desmosedici GP17 in recent weeks and puts his pace down to a setup that has been stable since the Jerez round. He describes himself as a ‘gorilla in the terrible MotoGP jungle’ and a surprise addition to the front runners, along with Johann Zarco.

We sat down with him after the Assen race and get his take on what went down and what he intends to do to win at the Sachsenring next weekend:

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Are you happier of this second place after a fantastic race or are you angrier for having lost the possibility to score your first GP win?
“I’m happy for the podium but I’m disappointed because I never saw the victory so close. I studied the pass on Valentino carefully and I knew exactly where I could pass him. On that corner I had more traction and my Ducati had a powerful engine to make the difference. I was ready to make my move, but on the penultimate chicane I found Barbera and I had to brake hard to overtake him, losing the acceleration of the last straight.

“I pushed hard and close the gap to Valentino. On turn six, Rossi passed Rins and when it was my turn, I almost crashed passing him. I’m disappointed because race direction didn’t ask to show blue flags. Barbera and Rins were on rain tyres and they should have pulled aside. It’s a pity because I really had the chance to win. I had managed the race at the best.”

You confirmed that you are a winning rider. You have convinced the others. How aboutyourself?
“It’s a very good momentum. Also in Barcelona, if it wasn’t for my mistake, I was close to fight for the win. This time I remained calm and managed the race at the best. In the final part of the race I had something left in terms of pace, but, despite that, I couldn’t make the difference. Valentino rode better.”

What were you missing and what has allowed you to make this further step?
“Honestly, I knew I was fast but I couldn’t get good results. In the last races I managed the whole race weekend well and the results are coming. This time I didn’t win, but I finished second and on Saturday I finished third in qualifying.”

There is some bitterness in your words…
“Yes, because it seems that when it counts, we still miss something for the pole position or the victory.”

Have you seen the world standing? Seventh and in front of Lorenzo…
“It’s a pity for the two technical problems I suffered in Qatar and France, otherwise maybe I was also in the position to fight for the championship. I’m heading in the right direction”.

You said that for 2018 you want a factory ride. Aprilia has shown interest in you, how the negotiations are going?
“Yes, we are speaking. My target is to have a factory bike and a direct contract with Ducati, but I prefer to focus on the races now and think about my future in the summer break.”

Are you happy with the Pramac Team?
“Yes. We need to consider that I cannot go in the Ducati factory team because there some contracts in force but I’m happy because I have a similar bike to Dovizioso or Lorenzo. We have Ducati’s support but of course the difference is done by the team and the number of engineers that you have behind you.

“It’s different to have 20 people or three. The setup work has become crucial because the time at our disposal is less and less. In the last 10 minutes you always have to do the time attack to secure you a fast lap time. Two tenths over 26 laps is seconds and with five seconds today you were off the podium.”

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Did you change something on the bike?
“On the contrary. The bike is stable and this allowed us to focus only on the setup. I tested many new items for Ducati in the winter and the first races, but especially after Jerez we have a stable bike. Ducati has shown to be the most competitive machine.”

What are you most proud of? Your speed, consistency or the race management?
“People around me have always been worried that I couldn’t mange the race well as I was not used to fight in front. Today I showed what I am capable of. I managed the top foiur riders in front of me and when I decided to attack, I did it. I’m happy of my consistency both in qualifying and the race. If we look at the first top ten riders, there are riders that won a race or a championship. I think I am the only rider who has not won yet”.”

In the last three races you have been a true protagonist. How important was the podium at Mugello for your self-confidence?
“I knew I was fast already in Qatar. I did a very good race simulation and I was comfortable. I thought this was my year. I also worked really hard. I did some good races also in Austin when I finished eighth or seventh in Jerez behind Vinales. But I started from the back. In order to be able to fight for the win you need to start from the first rows and manage the tyres and the race well. In the last three races, I could make it and the results are coming.”

Ducati has passed Yamaha in the constructor standing by one point. How important was your contribution in the development?
“I’m very satisfied because with Ducati I feel part of a project. After Barcelona, Dovizioso and I visited the factory and I felt the warmth and the support of all the people working in Ducati. In Pramac we are a smaller reality but we are part of a greater project.”

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How do you see the race in Sachsenring?
“Last year I did my best qualifying ever (fourth), very close to Rossi who started third. I was leading in the wet but after the change of the bike, I crashed because Dovizioso was putting pressure on me. This time is different. We head to Germany strong of a podium on the dry. I feel well and I would like to try to fight for the win.”

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