The double MotoGP race winner was drafted in by the manufacturing unit Ducati squad for final weekend’s Le Mans spherical to switch the injured Enea Bastianini.

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Petrucci raced with Ducati from 2015 to 2020, taking each of his grand prix wins with the manufacturing unit workforce. He successfully retired from MotoGP on the finish of 2021 and now races in World Superbikes with the Italian marque.

He completed eleventh within the crash-filled French GP, getting the higher of fellow stand-ins Lorenzo Savadori (RNF Aprilia) and Jonas Folger at Petrucci’s former KTM-backed Tech3 squad.

Admitting he was “dissatisfied” on Sunday to have already completed the weekend, Petrucci says the 2023 Ducati is “one of the best bike I’ve ever ridden in my life”.

“It was unbelievable, as a result of coming again to MotoGP with this bike – one of the best bike I’ve ever ridden in my life – on this observe the place I scored three podiums, one win, it was actually like a present,” he stated.

“I’m so pleased with it and I can solely say because of Ducati for this huge alternative.

“In the long run the race was fairly robust, however I used to be sooner than yesterday [Saturday in the sprint].

“I’m simply so dissatisfied it’s already Sunday. Possibly I cannot trip this bike once more, sadly. However for positive, coming again to Le Mans with this crowd, with a manufacturing unit bike, and a workforce with which I gained and stood on the rostrum many instances, is one thing I’ll always remember. I’m so completely satisfied.”

Danilo Petrucci, Ducati Crew

Photograph by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures

Petrucci famous that Ducati has been capable of repair the entire points it used to have with the bike when he final raced with the marque in 2020, which was tough to get his head round.

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“Ducati did a very nice job, as a result of they fastened the issues we had prior to now,” he added.

“I imply, closing the nook (turning) and the ability launch in the midst of the nook when the bike is bent.

“Now it’s actually obscure when to open the throttle, as a result of the bike is carrying the velocity, is closing the nook and also you by no means lose traction.

“On braking it’s already actually good. This weekend I used to be struggling a bit as a result of I’m not used to opening the throttle so early within the nook as a result of I keep in mind this downside, and particularly this 12 months I’m fighting the Superbike on this space.”

Petrucci rode a Suzuki instead of Joan Mir in final 12 months’s Thailand GP throughout a 2022 season wherein he turned the primary MotoGP rider ever to win a stage on the Dakar Rally, and in addition completed runner-up within the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship.