49erssports.com - Suzuki Ecstar Team Manager, Livio Suppo, is grateful for Ducati's blessing, which allows Danilo Petrucci to defend his squad in the Thai MotoGP at the Buriram Circuit, 30 September-2 October 2022 later. Petrucci is known to be a temporary replacement for Joan Mir, who is currently plagued with an ankle injury.
The injury was obtained by Mir due to a great accident in the Austrian MotoGP, which made him miss the San Marino Series. He briefly went down the track in the Aragon Series, but eventually withdrew due to his right ankle still in pain. Doctors later also confirmed he had to miss again in the Series Japan and Thailand.
"After the latest MRI scan, the doctors confirmed that Joan's situation continues to improve. However, this is not enough for them to allow her to race in Thailand. As a result, she will continue her rehabilitation to be fit to compete at Phillip Island," Suppo said in the team's official release, Tuesday (26/9/2022) early morning WIB.
In the San Marino Series, Mir was replaced by Suzuki rider from the FIM EWC, Kazuki Watanabe, and was replaced by Suzuki test rider, Takuya Tsuda, in the Japan Series. However, for the Thailand Series, Suzuki looked for another replacement rider, and the rider chosen was Petrucci, who competed in MotoGP in 2012-2021.
Wins in MotoGP, Dakar Rally and MotoAmerica
When he was down in MotoGP, Petrucci was known to be loyal to Ducati, having defended Pramac Racing and the Ducati Team. He achieved a total of 10 podiums and 2 wins with them. After failing to be competitive with Tech 3 KTM throughout 2021, Petrucci also left MotoGP and competed in the 2022 Dakar Rally Saudi Arabia.
Competing in Dakar, Petrucci also defended Tech 3 KTM with the full support of KTM. He kicked off the world of motorcycle racing by winning Stage 5. This achievement is certainly amazing, because he is a debutant. He is also the only rider in history to be able to win a MotoGP race and the Dakar stage.
After his stint at Dakar was over, Petrucci was courted by Ducati to return. He accepted and then fielded in MotoAmerica with Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati NYC. Last weekend, he successfully locked the runner up title at Barber Motorsport Park, Alabama, after a fierce battle with Jake Gagne throughout the season.
Petrucci had been asked by Suzuki to replace Mir at San Marino, but Ducati refused to let him focus on winning MotoAmerica. Now the MotoAmerica racing season is over, so he can accept an offer from Suzuki to compete in Thailand. Ducati itself has allowed it, and Suppo is very grateful.