Danilo Petrucci stated he had an amazing day as a BMW rider at Friday’s WorldSBK within the Netherlands.
Petrucci stood on the World Superbike podium in Assen with the Barni Ducati Workforce in 2025, however BMW failed to complete on the rostrum in both lengthy race final 12 months. However the Italian was one of the best non-Ducati rider on the 2026 Dutch spherical on Friday, and fourth quickest total.
Opposite to feedback from teammate Miguel Oliveira, the Italian later stated he felt good on the bike from the beginning of FP1 and declared it his finest day with BMW thus far, regardless of crashing on the closing chicane within the closing minutes of FP1.
“Lastly, since this morning I spotted that I’m using the bike very properly. I’m beginning to get used to it,” he added, “I like this observe very a lot and final 12 months I used to be on the rostrum. I do not know if it is going to be attainable this 12 months, however I’m positively there.”
“As all the time, the important thing will likely be whether or not we are able to get an excellent end in qualifying tomorrow and no less than the primary two rows may have an excellent end result to struggle for the rostrum.
“I am fourth, however there are a number of riders, so there’s not a lot distinction between us.
“Additionally, the tempo needs to be very constant as a result of there may be a lot tire put on, so we now have to cope with that.
“However I could be blissful. That is my finest day in a BMW in the meanwhile.”
Petrucci’s robust begin to the weekend has him optimistic about his possibilities heading into the race and he hopes to be in competition for a podium.
“We’re nearer (to the rostrum) than ever earlier than,” he stated.
“We need to struggle for inside the highest 5. We now have a number of riders preventing for the highest, so you may see that. Perhaps there’s extra to Brega than that, however we’re kind of all the time there.”
“The bottom line is to handle the tires correctly all through the race, as we discover it very troublesome to enter corners, particularly with used tires.”
“However total I felt actually good. I made some good strikes with the group, so I could be assured going into tomorrow.”
Petrucci added that a lot of riders must also be among the many contenders for the rostrum. “It is all the time the identical riders. The 2 Ducati riders (Nicolo Brega and Iker Lecuona), the Lowes twins (Sam Lowes and Alex Lowes), after which there’s Xavi (Vierge), Baldassarri and perhaps Bautista too.
“Sadly, there are a number of riders!
“I definitely forgot somebody, however Ducati is absolutely robust and so is Bimota, so in the meanwhile we now have to concentrate on bettering a couple of areas somewhat bit, however then we are able to struggle for the rostrum.”
