Ex-MotoGP teammate Andrea Dovizioso is amazed by Danilo Petrucci’s participation in the Dakar Rally and rules out competing in the desert rally as well
Ex-MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci has caused a stir with his stage win in this year’s Dakar Rally. Petrucci put himself in the limelight with his strong performance in the desert classic and thus advertised MotoGP. Ex-teammate Andrea Dovizioso also followed Petrucci’s Dakar debut in January.
“I was very happy for him and I wrote to him because he really deserved it,” commented Dovizioso, who like Petrucci is a big fan of off-road racing and is passionate about motocross. “He did something crazy,” “Dovi” attests to his compatriot.
Can “Dovi” imagine competing in the Dakar as well? “I’m already pretty crazy, but not as much as him. I will never gain that experience”, he rules out participation and attests “Petrux” extraordinary off-road skills: “I know Danilo and I know how fast he is in motocross. That’s because he was able to beat me quite easily. “
“But his result surprised me. I didn’t expect it,” admits the former Ducati teammate. Dovizioso is not the only MotoGP rider amazed by Petrucci’s Dakar debut. Ex-KTM teammate Brad Binder is also surprised at how strong Petrucci was on his first appearance.
“It was incredible to watch him at the Dakar,” commented Binder. “Danilo is such a great personality. I don’t know if he expected it to go so well. It was a huge challenge.”
“I can’t imagine what it’s like to go from a race track to the desert,” notes the two-time MotoGP race winner, adding, “It’s incredible. I’m very happy for him, the team and KTM. “
