Danilo Petrucci achieved a podium in the opening round of the World Superbike Championship, finishing third in an exciting second race at Phillip Island. The Barni Spark Racing Team rider started from 15th – position in the Superpole race – and fought until the end with Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven/Ducati) to secure the final result.
In an interview with the championship’s official website, Petrux revealed that he started the race with some apprehension after the difficulties in the Superpole race: ‘It was fantastic to finish on the podium. It was a great race and a great fight. In the first race, we were fighting for the podium, but we had a problem with the pit stop and couldn’t fight with the front riders. On Sunday morning, I didn’t feel good with the bike and I don’t know why, so I was a bit nervous in the second race. I was in the front group before the red flag.’
Regarding the restart of the race after the red flag caused by Jonathan Rea’s incident (Pata Prometeon Yamaha), Petrucci commented: ‘After the red flag, we were always there. I wanted to be the best independent rider. I tried to overtake Iannone and then [Michael Ruben] Rinaldi, but on the last lap, Iannone caught up to me again. I said, “Well, I need to at least be the best independent rider,” and then I went to overtake him, I saw [Andrea] Locatelli crash, I hope he’s okay. I said, “Come on, Danilo, it’s just half a lap.” This is a good result.’
