MotoGP: Danilo Petrucci: “The good guy” Jack Miller “will do well” at KTM – EXCLUSIVE | MotoGP

Miller and Petrucci quickly bonded as teammates at Pramac Ducati in 2018, where the Australian arrived after spending three seasons with Honda satellite teams.

Petrucci started that year strong on the latest spec bike, including second place in France, and was duly chosen as Jorge Lorenzo’s successor to the Ducati factory team for 2019.

Miller remained at Pramac, but inherited Petrucci’s factory bike, which he rode on five podiums and equaled Petrucci’s eighth overall from the previous season.

Although Petrucci scored an emotional maiden MotoGP win for factory team Mugello, his future position was in doubt after going without a podium throughout the second half of 2019.

The delayed start of covid to 2020 meant Ducati then called to sign Miller in place of Petrucci for 2021 before a racing lap was completed. Petrucci felt no resentment and, after a second and final Ducati win at Le Mans, switched to KTM.

Miller, who has so far matched Petrucci’s two wins in the Ducati factory team, will follow Petrucci’s career path again by joining KTM next season – albeit on a two-year contract. years with the factory team, rather than Petrucci’s only year. Internship at Tech3.

While Petrucci endured what would be a difficult final MotoGP campaign on the RC16, constantly losing time on the straights due to his physical size, the current MotoAmerica title leader believes Miller will be in a better situation for several reasons. .

In an exclusive interview with crash.netPetrucci, who stunned the motorcycling world with a Dakar stage victory for KTM earlier this year, said of Miller’s deal: “Two days ago I messaged to Jack saying that now we can also participate in the Dakar together!

“But joking aside, I’m really happy for Jack. We grew up together in Pramac then we more or less followed [the same path]: Pramac, Factory [Ducati] and now also KTM. And I hope he will be luckier than me.

“Being in the KTM factory team for two years is a much better opportunity. I’m happy for him. It’s no secret that I’m supporting Jack in MotoGP. I would like to see him win, because he’s a really good guy and I think he’ll do well.

Petrucci: “I tried to steal them from Ducati!”

Adding to Petrucci’s optimism is the presence of Fabiano Sterlacchini, who held a senior technical position for 17 years at Ducati before becoming MotoGP technical director at KTM, and Francesco Guidotti, a former Pramac team manager who now leads the Red Bull KTM team.

Petrucci revealed he tried to tempt the pair to join KTM when he made the move.

“Now in [KTM] there are two people who helped me during my time at Ducati; Guidotti and Sterlacchini. I was one of those who tried to steal them from Ducati when I was at KTM – unfortunately they came when I was leaving! Petrucci smiled.

After staying with KTM for the Dakar adventure in January, Petrucci has been welcomed to Ducati for another new challenge, in MotoAmerica, where he currently leads the standings for the Warhorse HSBK Racing team.

“After so many years in MotoGP, I still have a great relationship with most people I met in the paddock, including the people from KTM and Ducati,” he said.

“And hopefully at KTM they can do a good job for Jack over the next few years.”

Miller, currently ninth in the world championship, will start the first of his eleven remaining Ducati MotoGP races in Germany this weekend.