Replace Bastianini In French MotoGP 2023, Danilo Petrucci: Can't Wait To Return To The Track

Superbike racer, Danilo Petrucci. (Photo: Instagram/@petrux9)

JAKARTA - The Ducati factory team will certainly appear in the 5th MotoGP series in France without their mainstay racer, Enea Bastianini. Even so, they will continue to race with Danilo Petrucci as a substitute racer.

Getting another chance to pave the way in the MotoGP competition, Petrucci said he was happy and couldn't wait to get back on track. Especially if this is the case, he will appear at the Le Mans Circuit on May 12-13.

"I can't wait to return to the MotoGP race," Petrucci was quoted as saying by Crash on Sunday, May 7.

Petrucci is currently still a career as a racer, but he chose to compete in the World Superbike (WSBK) with Ducati and Barni Racing. Before moving to WSBK, Petrucci last appeared in MotoGP last season in Thailand with the Suzuki team.

Now he has the opportunity to appear again in MotoGP for replacing the injured Bastianini. Bastianini suffered a shoulder injury as a result of colliding with Luca Marini in the first lap of the sprint race at Portimao at the end of March.

The Italian racer returned last weekend at MotoGP Jerez 2023, but decided to withdraw after feeling pain at the training session. Regarding Bastianini's condition, Petrucci had empathy because the rider had to miss Le Mans, but he also recalled the sweet moments at the circuit.

Even so, I feel sorry for (Enea) Bastianini who had to miss the race series again. At Le Mans with Desmosedici GP, I won my last race in MotoGP," said Petrucci.

The 32-year-old racer said that the opportunity to appear with Ducati was an honor. Moreover, the position that will be occupied belongs to Bastianini who is the world champion.

"It's an honor to be able to try a world champion's motorbike and wear a uniform that I've previously used. It's a hard feeling to express, and I can't wait to get back on track with the Ducati Lenovo team," said Petrucci.