The double MotoGP race winner was drafted in by the factory Ducati squad for last weekend’s Le Mans round to replace the injured Enea Bastianini.
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Petrucci raced with Ducati from 2015 to 2020, taking both of his grand prix wins with the factory team. He effectively retired from MotoGP at the end of 2021 and now races in World Superbikes with the Italian marque.
He finished 11th in the crash-filled French GP, getting the better of fellow stand-ins Lorenzo Savadori (RNF Aprilia) and Jonas Folger at Petrucci’s former KTM-backed Tech3 squad.
Admitting he was “disappointed” on Sunday to have already finished the weekend, Petrucci says the 2023 Ducati is “the best bike I have ever ridden in my life”.
“It was unbelievable, because coming back to MotoGP with this bike – the best bike I have ever ridden in my life – on this track where I scored three podiums, one win, it was really like a gift,” he said.
“I’m so proud of it and I can only say thanks to Ducati for this big opportunity.
“In the end the race was quite tough, but I was faster than yesterday [Saturday in the sprint].
“I’m just so disappointed it’s already Sunday. Maybe I will not ride this bike again, unfortunately. But for sure, coming back to Le Mans with this crowd, with a factory bike, and a team with which I won and stood on the podium many times, is something I will never forget. I’m so happy.”
Source: Autosport