ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team rider Danilo Petrucci stated that the riding style implemented by Toprak Razgatlıoğlu last year did not align with his own style throughout the season. The Italian rider expressed that he has not yet decided whether to remain in the WorldSBK. Meanwhile, the results from Estoril and the situation in MotoGP were also evaluated.
Performance in Estoril and Team Results
Danilo Petrucci reported that he did not score outside the points zone in three races in Estoril. The rider's race results are as follows:
- Race 1: 18th place
- Superpole Race: 16th place
- Race 2: 16th place
The results for teammate Miguel Oliveira are as follows:
- Race 1: Fourth place
- Superpole Race: Fourth place
These results are considered the best marks for the brand since the two BMW riders suffered serious injuries in May.
Controversy over Riding Style
Petrucci stated that Toprak Razgatlıoğlu's riding style focused on stopping the motorcycle. He emphasized that this approach was not suitable for his own style. The rider preferred being fluid and fast through corners, but noted that both approaches were lost with this motorcycle.
We didn't have anything to lose on Saturday, so we tried many different things. Generally, I couldn't stop the motorcycle or turn it, so I had to stay in the middle. On Sunday, I was fast in many places, but the motorcycle wouldn't turn. Perhaps we realized we had taken a completely opposite path from last year. Toprak's method last year was extremely one-sided: stopping the motorcycle. That is not my riding style. I prefer to be fluid and fast through corners, but with this motorcycle, it is either one or the other. We lost both throughout the season.
Braking and Speed Issues
The rider shared his comments about the motorcycle's braking ability. He speculated that the only way to ride this motorcycle fast was by braking. He mentioned that he was fast when entering corners and sometimes could not correct the motorcycle in time due to losing speed. Furthermore, he stated that due to his height and weight, he could not brake the motorcycle to the end on straights. The rider believed that his braking ability was different from his style, and Toprak's braking ability was different. He also added that Toprak adapted perfectly to the Pirelli tires, which provided high traction from the start.
Perhaps the only way to ride this motorcycle fast is to brake while the motorcycle is still upright. Toprak's rear wheel lifting off the ground is exactly at that moment. I am good at braking, especially when entering corners. I was very fast in this section in the past. Sometimes I was so fast that I couldn't correct the motorcycle in time after the apex and I lost speed.
Evaluation of MotoGP Performance
Danilo Petrucci evaluated Toprak Razgatlıoğlu's situation in MotoGP. The rider said that things were not going his way and he was struggling in MotoGP. The performance shown by the rider did not reflect his true ability, stating that the rider could do much more. He expressed that if a rider's secret weapon is taken away, the rider can revert to being an ordinary rider who is not that fast. He emphasized that he was good at corner entry and apex, but not when braking while upright. He stated that this year brought him too much difficulty.
As we see in MotoGP, things are not going his way and he is struggling. What we see from him does not reflect his true ability; he could do much, much more. But if you take away a rider's secret weapon, they turn into an ordinary rider who is not that fast. I was good at corner entry and apex, but not when braking while upright. This year brought me too much difficulty.
Decision for the Future
Danilo Petrucci has not yet announced his decision for the future. The rider, indicating a possibility of staying in the WorldSBK, stated that there are things that need to be clarified and he needs to decide what he will do. He stated that if the year was very difficult, one might start to think that it is no longer sufficient despite the effort. He mentioned that the WorldSBK season will end with the final in Jerez on October 16-18.
There are a few possibilities for me to stay in the WorldSBK. There are things that need to be clarified, and I need to decide what I will do because this year was very difficult. If results are this bad despite the effort, you start to think it is no longer sufficient.
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
