MotoAmerica, Road America J3: Danilo Petrucci third, Cameron Petersen winner

De Paul Gozzi / Corsedimoto.com

In the wet at Road America, Danilo Petrucci (Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC) finished third and regained the lead of the MotoAmerica Superbike. Yamaha wins with Cameron Petersen

All that was missing was the Wisconsin weather to further complicate the MotoAmerica weekend. Danilo Petrucci on the fantastic Road America circuit. The Terni driver is a magician in the wet, but Race 2 (shortened to just eight laps) started with inscrutable asphalt conditions: lots of water in some sections of the track, almost dry in others. The first six riders chose wet tires, but it should be added that Danilo had no experience with Dunlop tires of this type. Thus, on such a fast track strewn with pitfalls, the new American challenge of the man from Terni got off to a difficult start. Jake Gagne (Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha) got a bad start and rode as best he could, finishing no higher than fourth. Worse still, for Matthew Scholtz, who the day before had beaten Danilo in the photo finish by 15 thousandths : on the water, he sank to eighth place. But the dangers never end here...

Cameron and PJ go wild

Danilo Petrucci this time found two unbridled opponents on the road: Cameron Petersen, a South African until then teammate of captain Yamaha Jake Gagne, and PJ Jacobsen, former student of Eraldo Ferracci (Ducati's trusted man in the USA), formerly of the Supersport world championship and who currently rides a BMW. At loggerheads with the Italian driver, the opponents all went wild, once again there were a few shoulder blows. In the last round, PJ try the surprise, but Cameron Petersen is more precise and crosses the line with a small but decisive advantage. Danilo Petrucci settles for third place.

Ducati without acceleration

« My Panigale had no power, especially at low revs, I couldn't get out strong anywhere” Danilo Petrucci complained. “ Also, in the last two laps I was out of tires. I tried, until I realized it was better to think about the championship. » Yes, the ranking: after four rounds, Petrucci returns to the lead of the championship, seven points ahead of Mathew Scholtz.

Next challenge June 25-26 at The Ridge in Shelton, a spectacular trail nestled in the woods of Washington State.