MotoAmerica, Road America J2: Danilo Petrucci at the photo finish in race 1

De Paul Gozzi / Corsedimoto.com

Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) taunted by Mathew Scholtz (Yamaha Westby Racing) at the finish of Race 1 at Road America. Jake Gagne (Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha) falls and recovers fifth place.

What bad luck for Danilo Petrucci ! In Race 1 at Road America, the Ducati rider fought like a lion, despite his poor physical condition. At the finish line, he tries to overtake Matthew Scholtz but the photo finish punishes him. It is the first victory of the season for the South African who, after seven races, leads MotoAmerica with a single point ahead of Danilo Petrucci. Jake Gagne fell in the first round and recovered to fifth place.

Jake Gagne misses
Danilo Petrucci finally started from third place on the first row, with Jake Gagne on pole. Approaching turn five, on the straight, the Yamaha came into contact and both braked too late, ending up straight on the asphalt loophole. Petrucci stayed on his wheels, returning to the track in fifth position, while Win lost his balance on the gravel part of the loophole, and fell. He started last, but managed to move up to fifth place at the end of the twelve laps. Win was on a three-game winning streak.

Mathew Scholtz tough as nails
By mid-race, Petrucci was back in the game for victory, when the Yamaha of Cameron Petersen suddenly fell, putting the South African, at that moment in the lead, out of the game. Petrucci et scholtz had to play for victory. In the straight, the Ducati is a missile, but the Yamaha had a small advantage in the twistiest part of Road America. Final round verdict: scholtz entered the fifth turn hard, and tried to get rid of Danilo with a block pass. Coming out of the last corner like a rocket, the Ducatista tried his luck under the flag, but it didn't work out for him: he was only missing fifteen thousandths of a second. The podium was completed by Hector Barberá on the BMW.

« I suffered a lot. »
On the podium, Danilo Petrucci had a gloomy face, a little out of disappointment, but also because he was suffering from the after-effects of the terrible accident that occurred after the finish at the Virginia International Raceway. Just a fortnight ago, Matthew Scholtz he himself had managed, as best he could, to defend the position. “ The last few days have been difficult, I was in pain everywhere and I returned to Italy to try to get back on my feet » commented the former MotoGP rider. “ At the beginning with Gagne, we went a little too far, and we both ended up outside. The pace was very high, and even though I didn't feel good, I tried to win, it was close. »

The revenge Sunday afternoon, at 22:10 p.m.