Danilo Petrucci displays horrible injuries after bizarre 280km/h crash
Petrucci, winner of the first three MotoAmerica races of 2022, came across the line for his fourth podium of the season, however, the former MotoGP rider’s day took a dramatic turn for the worse as he attempted to avoid a slow moving rider in front.
The Italian crashed his Panigale V4 R at very fast turn one which is directly under the checkered flag, and although Petrucci got back to his feet without assistance - Petrucci was left very unhappy after receiving no help from trackside personnel - it was enough of an impact to result in a trip to the medical centre, thus leading Petrucci to miss out on the podium ceremony.
- Rea fights off ‘sea mist, visor full of water’ to complete Estoril double
- MotoGP Rider Market: The latest on who could be heading where for 2023?
- 2022 British Superbike Donington Park: O’Halloran doubles up on Sunday
Prior to the crash, Petrucci was part of an enthralling podium fight with Mathew Scholtz and Cameron Peterson, while Gagne’s dominance at Virginia continued - the ex-WorldSBK rider has won the last four races at the Virginia International Raceway.
Petrucci calls 280 km/h crash ‘one of the worst of my career’ - bigger than Marc Marquez’ massive MotoGP highside at Mandalika
After being released by the medical centre, Petrucci released a statement on his social media, saying: "Just to inform you, I crashed at 280 km/h under the finish line that’s on a sixth gear corner for avoid touching another rider.
"I hit three sponsor signs with my body, multiple burns, multiple hematomas and a deep cut on the ankle with five stitches.
"I rolled for over 100 meters, maybe one of the worst crashes of my entire career. And I was lying down for over two minutes with no assistance, hearing the bikes pass next to me, till I stood up by myself and went alone to the medical centre."
For Petrucci, the end to race two is one that could have a big impact in the championship going forward.
The Italian remains atop the championship by just four points over Scholtz, however, it’s Petrucci condition that will be the major focus heading into the next round at Road America (June 2-3).
In terms of Gagne, the Fresh N Lean Progressive Yamaha rider is well and truly back in the title fight.
Like Petrucci at the beginning of the campaign, defending champion Gagne is now on a three-race winning streak after last weekend’s double.
"I think, in the beginning at least, the pace was a little quicker," said a delighted Gagne. "I was a little surprised that the pace yesterday wasn’t what I was hoping for. We didn’t make a lot of changes. We were a little off on tyre pressure yesterday, I think. We definitely knew that.
"So, with that little bit of a tyre pressure adjustment, I was able to run the times I wanted to a little bit easier in the beginning. Those first five, six, seven, eight laps were pretty strong. I didn’t make any mistakes. I could see I was just inching out on those guys.
"Going through turn four or five or whatever you’ve got that big screen and sometimes I could go through there and I saw Mat (Scholtz), Danilo (Petrucci), Cam (Petersen), all in a good battle there for second.
"So, I just tried to keep an eye on my pit board. Just like yesterday, mistakes can happen easily when it’s that slick out there towards the end, but these Dunlops held up good and this Yamaha… I’m just stoked that I get to ride this bike every weekend. I’ve got the best team that I could ask for behind me.
"I’m happy we made a little progress today because I knew we needed it. Everybody would be stepping it up. It’s good to get another win."
