Danilo Petrucci will undoubtedly have deserved to see the finish of his first Dakar. The one who was still in MotoGP two months ago embarked on the most selective Rally-Raid as his first experience in the discipline, and he will have experienced a career in one event. On his KTM in Tech3 colors, he will have scored a resounding victory, he will have fallen more often than not, he will have been injured and he will have experienced a succession of technical setbacks which challenge him. 3 km from the goal, his suspension failed...
Until the end ! Danilo Petrucci will have had no respite for this first Dakar Rally who will matter in his life. From the technical checks, he was in the hot seat with a positive Covid test, but everything returned to normal. He set off with an injured ankle in training, won a stage, cut a hole in his elbow, crumpled a shoulder and, in preparation for the finish, injured his a wrist. He also regrets insoluble electrical problems on a KTM whose suspension gave up the ghost three terminals from the end. And these disappointments, Petrux will not forget them…
« After the blow to the shoulder, I wanted to manage. At 25 km from the end I was afraid that there was a problem with the bike, on the rear tire, and I slowed down » he says about his last step. “ Unfortunately it wasn't enough because 3 km from the goal I fell. The suspension clip was broken. I hit my wrist ". He adds on GP One : " I don't understand all these breakups because the second week was incredible in this regard with everything that happened to me. I hope I don't have anything serious on my wrist., the one I already injured in Jerez in 2014. I didn't think I would have all these problems and I can't wait to go home ».
Danilo Petrucci: “ It's one of the hardest things I've ever done«
But all the same, what wins out is satisfaction: “ I'm so happy to finally reach the finish line and accomplish the goal I set for myself. The lead up to the event and the race itself were tough, but finishing my first ever Dakar is an amazing feeling ", said Petrucci. " I'm really happy with my performance but these last few days, I've had a few falls and I'm feeling pretty sore at the moment.. I no longer have a healthy limb: pain in my right ankle, a blow to the left knee, elbow, wrist, right shoulder.”
« Thanks to the whole team for their hard work, it has been an incredible experience and one of the hardest things I have ever done. I've fallen several times and right now I'm feeling pretty bad. I don't know if I'll be back next year, I'll tell you next week ". Ducati, who will hire him for a season in MotoAmerica, will now monitor the physical state of his Petrux closely... But the Italian warns: “ Don’t look for me, I’m not here for anyone.”
