Tech3 KTM’s Danilo Petrucci has likened riding the KTM RC16 to competing on a Moto3 just because of his size and says he may be ‘too big’ for it.

The Italian is 1.8m tall and around 78kg (5ft 11in and 12 stone) which is enormous compared to factory test rider Dani Pedrosa who could live in one of his shoes.

“For sure we went with an extreme set-up for KTM for my size, and maybe my size is too big for the bike because I was looking at some photos and I am really… let’s say, it seems like a Moto3,” said Petrucci.

“For a few laps it’s ok, but compared to the other riders especially when they have a slipstream I can’t even stay in the slipstream and this is a problem for the race, especially when we have a long straight.

Every acceleration, a rider gets in front of me. Braking is good, but this means I always enter into a corner with too much speed and since lap three the tyre is really hot. We have to work on this.”

Petrucci crashed out of the Qatar season opener on lap one and then finished second last in the second round held at Losail.

“I’m happy about the progress we made, but I’m absolutely sad about the results. I was expecting more for sure.

“On a few laps I’m OK, but really from the third lap I started to fight with the bike, especially with the tyre temperature.

“I like the bike a lot and I can be fast, because in some sessions I was fast. But on the pace, it was difficult, I didn’t expect that.

“In Portimao, the bike has been very, very competitive last year. Until we arrive there, I’m working on my shoulder, which is not stable. I will do everything to be at 100 percent in Portimao.

“I can’t wait to ride there, as the circuit is completely different to Losail. My aim is to improve the bike and my results.”