MotoGP | Daniele Romagnoli: “I think Petrucci can stay with the leading group”

MotoGP Danilo Petrucci Alma Pramac Racing – After the end of the first pre-season test session, on the Sepang circuit, Danilo Petrucci's Crew Chief, Daniele Romagnoli, takes his first assessment of the three-day Malaysian race.

Petrux closed the three-day Malaysian event with the eleventh fastest time. A lot of work for the rider from Terni, especially comparing the old and new bikes. This is why the Crew Chief of #09 decided to give it a 7.5.

“We managed to do a good job carrying out the Ducati program.” Said Romagnoli, who then added: “They were very important tests to discover the new bike. Then we dedicated ourselves to the set up even though perhaps we would have needed more continuity with the 2018 Ducati Desmosedici GP. We still had the opportunity to find some functional details for Danilo."

Romagnoli found Petrucci in great shape, the Terni native lost 4 kilos during the winter break: “We found Danilo in excellent shape both mentally and physically. He arrived in Malaysia reinvigorated, with great motivation and a great desire to try the new bike. On a physical level he was in great shape, having also lost a lot of weight. If he continues in this direction I think he can stay with the leading group."

Obviously after the first test there is still a lot of work to do, but the Ducati Pramac team already seems to have found the main areas to focus on: “We still have something to fix to make the most of his Ducati. To be able to go faster we need to work on some details. We have some difficulties in braking where we are still a little too aggressive and we need to improve on opening the throttle. But Danilo is making great progress in this area too."

The next stop will be the tests in Thailand on the Buriram circuit, where the premier class will take to the track for the first time on February 16th: “It's difficult to make a prediction although I'm convinced that Thailand will be a good track for the Ducatis. I think that Danilo will immediately find himself quite comfortable in a new circuit because among his great qualities there is also that of improvising and being able to find himself at ease in new technical situations”.

Photos: Alex Farinelli