Petrucci gives ‘my best’ for P13, Lecuona ‘lost for words’ after crash

KTM Tech 3 riders Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona endure another tough MotoGP weekend in what could be their last season with both the team and premier class altogether.

Robert Jones

30 Jun 2021

Danilo Petrucci, Dutch MotoGP race, 27 June 2021
© Gold and Goose

Danilo Petrucci recovered from P18 in qualifying to score three points at the Dutch MotoGP, while Iker Lecuona had one of his better weekend’s this season before crashing out.

Both KTM Tech 3 riders have struggled mightily to this point in 2021 as their futures with the team remains uncertain.

At least one of the two riders will be out of a ride in 2022 as Remy Gardner joins the team from Moto2, however, that could soon turn into both men looking for a MotoGP seat if Raul Fernandez does indeed join his Australian team-mate.

While P13 isn’t exactly a strong weekend - especially after Fernandez’ dominant ride in Moto2, it was still an improvement of five places in the race for Petrucci heading into the summer break

"At the end, we have been able to score some points. It was a difficult race, because at the beginning I had to recover many positions and I had a lot of fights," added Petrucci.

"I maybe used the rear tyre too much and was not able to stick with Brad (Binder) in front of me.

"But anyway, regarding the fact that I had to start from P18, it was good to finish the race and get some points.

"I gave my best. For sure we have to improve Qualifying for the next races."

For Petrucci’s team-mate Lecuona, the Spaniard was enjoying one of his strongest weekend’s of the season in a time most needed.

Lecuona was in a relatively comfortable 11th place which would have matched his result of Mugello had he finished there. However, a mistake late on after touching a white line cost the 21 year-old valuable points.

Lecuona added: "I’m lost for words. I felt strong in the race, I overtook some riders, but lost a lot of time fighting with another rider. There I lost the contact to the front group, but my pace was well to stay in P11.

"I was fighting with Pol Espargaro, but then he started to push a lot and I couldn’t follow him anymore.

"At least I managed to defend my position and then I did a mistake. I touched the white line and lost the front.

"I was touching this line before, but not with the used tyre, so it didn’t work. I need to say sorry, as I did a very strong weekend, but it was also important to finish the race before the summer break.

"I didn’t finish, but in general, I’m still happy about my improvements. We will come back stronger."