History was made at the Cremona Circuit on Saturday when Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) claimed his first MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship win, before making it a hat-trick on Sunday. Rivals past and present discussed his win, from both the MotoGP™ and WorldSBK paddocks, with eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez and reigning MotoGP™ Champion Pecco Bagnaia leading the plaudits, as well as double WorldSBK Champion Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati).
“IT’S AMAZING WHAT HE’S ACHIEVED” – Bautista
Bautista joined ‘Petrux’ on the podium on Saturday and said: “I congratulate him because it’s amazing what he’s achieved. He’s won in MotoGP™, Dakar, MotoAmerica and now WorldSBK. It’s amazing. I don’t think any other rider has won in those categories. Congratulations to him. He’s doing a really good job. He started a couple of years ago, he’s grown up and it’s nice to have more riders fighting for victories.”
“HE’S MAKING HISTORY, HE’S A LEGEND” – Di Giannantonio
One-time MotoGP™ race winner Fabio Di Giannantonio said: “He did amazing! He’s making history, he’s a legend. It’s fantastic that a rider could do this. I think no one else could do an amazing achievement for him and I’m so happy for him.”
“HE’S BEEN THE STRONGEST RIDER IN THE LAST COUPLE OF ROUNDS” – Alex Lowes
Speaking on Sunday after Petrucci’s hat-trick, Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) said: “It doesn’t get much better! We all want to beat each other, but it’s nice to see guys do well, get his first WorldSBK win and then win all three races! He’s had a lot to deal with away from the track and I just want to say congrats to him. To come back from that and, apart from Toprak unfortunately being out, he’s been the strongest rider in the last couple of rounds; on the podium in every race. I just have to give respect to him and congratulations.”
“HAPPY FOR HIM BECAUSE HE’S A SUPER NICE GUY” – Marc Marquez
Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez expressed his delight for Petrucci, saying: “I’m super happy for Danilo. I didn’t see the race unfortunately, but I’ll watch it maybe on Monday. Happy for him because he’s a super nice guy. He had that kind of charisma that’s important and happy for him, congrats Danilo!”“
A GOOD MILESTONE, HE DESERVES IT” – Bagnaia
Double MotoGP™ Champion Pecco Bagnaia said: “I’m very happy for Danilo because I think he deserves it. I think he’s the only man in the world to have won Dakar, MotoGP™, WorldSBK and MotoAmerica so it’s something great for him. A good milestone. I’m very happy for him, I think he deserves it.”
“STOKED FOR HIM… COOL TO SEE HIM ON THE TOP STEP WHERE HE BELONGS” – Miller
Teammates to Petrucci at Pramac Racing in 2018, Miller on Saturday said: “I was watching it live! I was happy to see Petrucci bring it home. I’m stoked for him especially after the year he’s had. He’s had some great results but smashing his head to pieces, it’s cool to see him on the top step where he belongs. Not many can say they’ve won a Grand Prix in Italy and a WorldSBK race in Italy and also the Dakar. He’s got a pretty good resume!”
“REALLY HAPPY FOR HIM BECAUSE HE’S A GOOD GUY” – Bassani
Compatriot Axel Bassani (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) was delighted for the Italian, saying: “I’m really happy for Danilo. There’s been a lot of races where he’s been battling for the victory and today he won. He deserved it. He’s doing a really good job and riding well. I’m really happy for him because he’s a really good guy.”
“I THINK ‘PETRUX’ IS A GOOD RIDER IN ALL DISCIPLINES” – Bastianini
Enea Bastianini, who also won in Italy at the weekend, said: “I think ‘Petrux’ is a good rider in all disciplines! It’s fantastic to see him on the first step in WorldSBK. I want to say congratulations to him because it’s super nice. It’s very good for me to see ‘Petrux’ on top.”
“I’M HAPPY HE WON, AND WON IN HIS COUNTRY” – Lecuona
Speaking after the race on Saturday, Petrucci’s former MotoGP™ Iker Lecuona (Team HRC) said: “I’m really happy for Danilo. We have a really good relationship from MotoGP™ when we were teammates. I’m happy for him because he also had a big crash this year, he needed to recover. I said to him when he joined that he could enjoy it a lot. I’m really happy he won and also won in his country.”
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Source: WorldSBK.com