Petrucci: Breakthrough win doesn’t change targets

Danilo Petrucci says his landmark victory at the Italian MotoGP last time out won’t change his targets and is already expecting Marc Marquez to be Ducati’s strongest rival in Catalunya.

In an emotional Mugello fight the Italian rider secured his maiden MotoGP win and has the opportunity to emulate both team-mate Andrea Dovizioso and former Ducati rider Jorge Lorenzo after the pair claimed back-to-back wins in Italy and Catalunya across 2017 and 2018.

Despite being full of confidence thanks to his first win, Petrucci says his approach and goals won’t alter.

“I’m really keen to get back to racing after taking my first win at Mugello. It was a very important result for me, and I've been feeling lighter ever since,” Petrucci said.

“I expect another battle, but we’re more conscious of our potential now so the target, as in the past few races, is the podium.”

Petrucci also picks out MotoGP championship leader Marquez as Ducati’s greatest rival at Circuit de Catalunya despite the reigning world champion’s record of just one win in six premier class races at Montmelo.

“I expect Marquez to be a strong rival in Montmelo,” he said. “We need to pick it up from where we left it in Mugello, but it won't be easy because the track is difficult to interpret when temperatures are particularly high.”

Petrucci will also be eager to improve on his own record in Catalunya with last year’s eighth place on the Pramac Ducati acting as his best result at the track during his career.