MotoGP, Poncharal: “Petrucci? Penalised by his riding style”

Herve Poncharal can be forgiven for feeling confident about the future thanks to new arrivals Remy Garnder and Raul Fernandez, although they will have to adapt to what is a new and complex class.

A very different atmosphere to that experienced with Danilo Petrucci and Iker Lecuona, two riders who, as Poncharal admits, will not be remembered for their results on track.

Lecuona, no step forward

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"We should have seen a big step forward with respect to his rookie season but that wasn’t the case, for several reasons”, the French manager tells our AutoHebdo colleagues in reference to Lecuona’s season. “On more than one occasion, he looked promising in practice, but then always struggled to put it together in the races”. When it was time to consider which riders to field in 2022, KTM bosses had no doubts: “I’m still convinced Iker’s a great rider, with a lot of talent, but when you find yourself having to choose Gardner and Fernandez mid-season... Well, the management had to make a decision".

Petrucci’s difficulties

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And Danilo Petrucci doesn’t come off any better: "From the start, he’d say to us ‘I’m old, heavy and tall, it’s more difficult for me’. And in effect, compared to the new generation of riders whose style is hard to mimic, his height and weight played against him”, continues Poncharal, who goes on to admit his disappointment regarding the lack of results.

"After our 2020 season, which ended with a win at Portimao, no one expected such a complicated start to 2021. Danilo had to adapt to the new bike, but never made his mark on the KTM", concludes Herve.

Translated by Heather Watson

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