Obviously, following suffering to get his first victory on the challenging Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta circuit as part of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship, Danilo Petrucci took advantage of the night to recharge his batteries and prove to be the fastest during the morning warm up!
The Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati New York rider has indeed surpassed the strong man of the category, Jake Gagne (Fresh N’ Lean Progressive Yamaha Racing) who nevertheless had revenge to take on the previous day’s race since his fall at turn five on the sixth lap when he was in the lead.
A little further on, we found the South African Cameron Petersen who had also crashed his Yamaha R1 in the race the day before, preceding Jake Lewis on his Suzuki, the others already more than a second away.
At the start of the 19-lap race, Jake Gagne keeps the advantage of his pole position and immediately builds up a small lead of 0.8 seconds. Unfortunately, from the second lap, the red flags came out with the fall of Jeremy Coffey (Triple M, Suzuki).
After a brief interruption, the race restarts but almost stops following one lap, the TV truck no longer receiving the necessary electrical power! This time, the interruption is longer and when, finally, the race begins once more, the unfortunate Danilo Petrucci explodes the engine of his Panigale which overheated on the starting grid! After the innumerable mechanical problems of the reigning champion Jack Gagnesome may see it as a kind of divine justice of the American championship to maintain a certain suspense…
Therefore, the way is clear for Jack Gagne who, lap following lap, widens a considerable gap over his own teammate to cross the finish line 14 seconds ahead of his teammate.
Jake Gagne: “The goal was to bring this bike home no matter what. But at the same time, I knew that even the pace we were at yesterday was comfortable for me. I just had to avoid making a small mistake like that. But I got off to a really good start today, really, really good. It was good. I felt a bit like last year. For me, I’m comfortable. Like Cam said, I feel good from the start, so I want to try to push the pace right away and at least cut the group down if possible, and whoever wants to come, come. I knew there was drama. We even saw Petrucci’s Ducati smoke a little on the warm-up lap. So that was on my mind. I wonder if this thing will end? It’s been a tough year, man. A really tough year so far. I know we only have four races, but it’s been a tough year. I think luck was on our side today. I was able to win, and not just win, but also score points with those guys who failed today, which is unfortunate for them. But that’s racing. There are still 16 races to go in this championship. The way is still long. »
Disappointment at Danilo Petrucci which explains in this watered-down message: “It’s just embarrassing what happened today. In 25 years of racing I have never seen them stop the race because the circuit cameras have no power. We stay on the different starting gates for more than 5 minutes and our engine explodes because the water is boiling. »
“I don’t want to criticize anyone, @motoamerica is truly an exciting championship and I want to believe this episode is truly unique. It’s not their fault, nor that of the circuit. I was just pissed because I lost a race for this incredible reason. But that’s how it is and in my life, nothing has been easy. My life has been just “sliding doors”, taking the last place on the train every time at the last moment. It’s exciting and it’s what keeps me alive. It’s not exciting to wait for the plane for two hours, it’s exciting to jump in at the last moment, and this championship is really exciting. »
Danilo Petrucci nevertheless retains command of the championship.
