What caused Danilo Petrucci's horror start at Portimao?

Yesterday at 03:54 AM

A terrible start ruined Danilo Petrucci's chances at a podium finish in Race Two at the Portuguese WorldSBK Round.

Danilo Petrucci was lined up in fourth place on the grid for the final World Superbike race of the weekend at Portimao. The Italian looked set to fight for the podium, but disaster struck when the lights went out.

Instead of shooting off the line like normal, Petrucci dropped back into the pack and, at the end of Sector One, found himself in 19th place.

The terrible start to the race instantly ruined any chance of a rostrum finish for the 34-year-old. However, he was able to fight back through the field and crossed the line in sixth place.

"We had a problem that we still don't understand precisely," Petrucci told WorldSBK.com.

"But when I pressed the lever to go to first gear, it did not gear completely, which prevented the launch control from activating. Then, when I released the clutch, it went into second immediately because I pressed it again, so let's say half-and-half mistakes and technical problems.

"When you are in P17 going into the first corner, you know your life will be really tough. I sincerely don't know if the red flag helped us or if it hurt us. I was very close to van der Mark and Locatelli, then in the second race I was really busy with the other riders, fighting well with them, but I had a worn tire and the feeling was not very good.

"Sincerely, I'm a bit disappointed about this morning when I lost third place to Alvaro, then this afternoon with this mistake.

"To look at the positive, are third in the Championship, but no trophy for me this time. Last year I went home with two, this time just the third place in the third row. I wish I could bring home a podium this weekend, but we're third in the Championship and now we're thinking about Assen."

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