If there is a rider who can help Toprak Razgatlioglu in a choice between WSBK and MotoGP, it is Danilo Petrucci. First the Italian revealed himself on production motorcycles which he finds today in MotoAmerica. Then, although heavier, it is about the same size as the Turk and, above all, its lethal weapon in its piloting arsenal is braking. A quality that has been put on the back burner since Michelin revised the carcass of its tires…
Danilo Petrucci is an authentic motorcycle enthusiast who enjoys it even on the bumps of a motocross field, the trails of an enduro or the dunes of a Dakar Rally. He knows off-road and this eclecticism has shaped a riding style that he has also put in tune with his measurements. The Italian is big and heavy, which is not recommended in today's motorcycle speed competition. But when it rains, it can be an advantage while in braking phases, it is also a plus.
A plus but provided that you have the ammunition to use this weapon. And it is on this point that Petrux alerts a Toprak that he also appreciates… On Motoracing, we can read thus from the Ducati rider in MotoAmerica : " It's absolutely a beast when braking! I don't know if he will be able to brake as hard in MotoGP as he currently does in World Superbike, but it's really a pleasure to watch him race and I think he can do well in MotoGP ».
Danilo Petrucci adds: " It will depend on the bike he rides, but he's an incredible talent ". The fact is that in Top Class, you have to deal with tires Michelin very different from Pirelli. " You can no longer brake as hard as before because the tires are very sensitive ". With the introduction of the new Michelin rear tire in 2020, the problems began for Danilo Petrucci. " Since then, I have gotten worse at braking, and that was my strong point ».
Danilo Petrucci: “ if you look at the MotoGP grid now it's getting really smalle "
The real secret of today's MotoGP is corner speed. In order to concentrate the work of the tires in this phase, the braking power of the tires has been reduced. “ In 2017-2018-2019 I was very fast with the harder build, but Pedrosa was struggling, as his light weight didn't help him », remembers the Italian.
Another element that unites Petrucci et Razgatlioglu is the size. Danilo measures 181 cm and weighs 80 kilos. Toprak measure 182 cm but only weighs 68 kg, values close to those ofAleix Espargarò (180 cm x 69 kg). “ My problem last year was the straights and that 0,2-0,3 handicap is something you can't give in MotoGP anymore ", said Petrucci. " If you weigh 10kg less, you can have a 0,2 second lead on the straight, which in a 20 lap race equates to four seconds at the finish. I think the right thing would be to put a minimum weight of the rider plus the bikes, like in Moto2 and Moto3 », an idea put forward several times also by Luca marini (184 x 70).
Danilo Petrucci finished : " size has always been my problem in MotoGP… If you look at the MotoGP grid now, it's getting really small… Luca Marini complained about the same problem as me ". Certainly but the second in the championship is a Aleix I will espargaro who is only one cm shorter than Petrux, but above all 11 kilos less... Danilo Petrucci had been on a strict diet during his MotoGP days, managing to lose 5kg, but the gap to the lightest rider was still 15kg and the diet had weakened him. With its 68 kilos, Toprak remains within the official standard Aprilia. So there remains this question of braking…
