Danilo Petrucci battles wet tracks to claim first ever Le Mans victory

Michelle Liew

October 12, 2020

Rainman Danilo Petrucci paints a wet weather masterpiece in France.

Danilo Petrucci | Photo credits: MotoGP

It rained on the track but certainly not on Danilo Petrucci’s parade! Even with a pre-race downpour, the Ducati Team rider spruced up a stellar victory in the drenched Shark Helmets Grand Prix de France. The Number 9 weather master takes on his second premier class win and first in the wet conditions. The triumph marks Ducati’s first win at the Circuit de la Sarthe too. Petrucci proved to be “the Man” in Le Mans and there is more to come from the race stunner.

Trailing behind Petrucci is power rookie Alex Marquez of Repsol Honda Team. The Spaniard made his own first in second place as he takes his impressive maiden premier class podium from 18^th on the grid. Pol Espargaro of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing ends his run at third place in the wet condition and Ducati Team caps the top four with Andrea Dovizioso settles at fourth place.

The rain-filled Le Mans was certainly one to remember and the MotoGP paddock heads to one of the fan favourites in Aragon for the following weekend.

Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team)- As It Happened

“It was I think one of the first times in my life I was disappointed to see rain on the grid because I expected to be fast in the dry. And ater this morning I felt really good on the bike and I thought we could fight for the podium. I didn’t know if for the win, but then I saw the rain and I switched from medium to soft on the rear at the last minute… but then I immediately wanted to stay in front because I wanted to stay far from the problems. Then I saw at the beginning we were three Ducatis, and then Rins coming fast… fortunately, we have fans here and screens so I could see it.

Then Dovi tried to pass me. We were close to each other but I thought there were too many behind so I immediately passed him again. Then I said come on the risk a bit! I tried to push and made a gap but I had a big moment at turn 4. I stayed up but then I saw Alex coming very fast, and I said come on push you can’t lose this race! And I was able to win! It’s incredible to come back on the top step.”