SBK | Petrucci, the man of challenges: “8 Hours of Suzuka? I would go there immediately!”

Two years ago he was busy in the desert dunes for what was his first Dakar and today he is preparing for his second season in the Superbike world championship: Danilo Petrucci is one of those riders who doesn't hold back when he needs to face new challenges and, after the long period in MotoGP, he dived “into the sand”, becoming the hero of the 2022 Dakar, and then embracing the Superbike project, first in America and then in the world championship.

What seemed like a short chapter in the career of Petrux, proved to be a starting point: having landed in the series derivatives with the Barni team, the Terni native struggled to adapt to the Panigale V4R, but in the second half of last season he found the right direction, achieving excellent results and also conquering of the podiums. Lifeblood rediscovered and an eye towards 2024, where he will try to pick up where he finished last year.

We won't have to wait long before seeing him back on track, because at the end of the month we fly to Spain and Portugal for winter testing, then in February we start again with the new season from Australia. “The winter holidays are over now and we have to leave again,” he says in one chat with colleagues from GPOne.com. Suitcases, flights… The routine returns, even if it never went away. “We are always here, ready to face the new year with confidence. Now I spend my days doing gym, gymnastics and I even signed up for pilates! In the evening I go to bed early and eat lots of vegetables. I'm making a living towards the priesthood (he jokes)”.

With a year of experience under his belt, Petrucci arrives at Phillip Island more relaxed and with a different awareness, even if winning won't be so simple. The Barni team rider, in fact, is fully aware of the fact that the competition will be fierce: A year ago I was worried and nervous, because SBK was something completely new, but now I am calm and aware of the challenge that awaits me. I am convinced that next year the level of SBK will rise, because BMW will work hard to allow Toprak Razgatlioglu to be fast while Jonathan Rea made a champion's choice by choosing Yamaha. I think the jump on the R1 confirms how great his motivation is.”

Not just Toprak and Johnny, even himself Petrux he still has great motivation and, if last year it seemed that he would have to say goodbye to Superbike, today he has great ambitions: “I dream of winning a race in SBK and trying to consistently be in the top 5. I don't have a crystal ball, but I don't I think this will be my last year in Superbike, because I like this world and the environment is very relaxing and familiar.”

Danilo has many dreams in his drawer, starting with Superbike, where he imagines himself in an official team. If Alvaro Bautista decides to hang up his helmet, could Petrucci take over? “It wouldn't be bad and I don't deny that it would be my dream. Let's see though, we have to try to take one step at a time starting from the sensations with which we finished last year.”

Not just Superbike… After the Dakar adventure, which he would like to repeat in the future, Petrucci harbors the dream of participating in one of the most prestigious motorcycling races: the Suzuka 8 Hours. “If Ducati offered it to me, I'd go straight for it!”, he states decisively. “The 8 Hours is a fascinating challenge and I would really like to race it. If Ducati is interested I'm here. I think Suzuka is a very tough challenge and we need to find more or less similar riders to tackle a race like this. Furthermore, Honda is very strong and prepared. However, I am of the opinion that if they work in Borgo Panigale as they know how, they can win in Japan at home.”

“The Dakar? These days I follow it and I feel a bit of melancholy”, reveals the Terni native, thinking of an upcoming participation in the toughest Rally in the world. “I would like to go back and I know I will go back with the aim of preparing it as best as possible and not in seven outings like we did the other time with KTM. If I wanted, I could have done it with Fantic already this year, but I preferred to stay in Superbike. We'll see in the future, I'd like to be the first rider to take the Ducati into the desert.”