Superbike, what a mockery for Petrucci: dice prevents Iannone from challenging

Missed derby against Iannone

The championship Superbikes 2024 began in the name of Italy. The Italian riders monopolized the podium with Nicolò Bulega finishing ahead of Andrea Locatelli and Andrea Iannone, with two out of three Ducatis completing the Italian party in Race-1 at Phillip Island in Australia.

The picture could have been even more tricolored because it was before the pit stop Danilo Petrucci he was in Andrea Locatelli's wake and therefore in full fight for the podium. The Barni team driver was hit by a problem during the pit stop made mandatory by Race Direction in this first round to avoid tire problems on a track as demanding with tires as the Australian one.

“I had made some mistakes in qualifying and I knew I would have to get a good start to make an immediate comeback. I took some risks, but I managed to put myself in the leading group. I knew I could stay with the best and so it was until the pit stop, the team did a great job and gave me a bike that allowed me to ride the way I like. Unfortunately during the flag to flag we had a problem that affected us. I tried to catch up, but the train was now gone. We picked up a few points, which is always good, but I wanted to finish in the top five, we'll try again tomorrow“, the analysis of Petrucci who concluded Race-1 in eighth position, a good placement which still leaves a bad taste in the mouth because the derby between ex-MotoGP players with Andrea Iannone he was within Petrux's reach for the third step of the podium.

“Up until the pit stop Danilo was attached to the leading group, behind Locatelli, but just over a second behind the leader. Unfortunately the nut on the rear wheel got stuck and we were at risk of fighting for the podium. The positive aspect is the pace we showed in the race, tomorrow we can do better“, the words of the team principal Marco Barnabò who were still able to celebrate Yari Montella's victory in Supersport, the first for the Barni team since the latter also became part of the 'cadet' category of the Superbike World Championship.