Petrucci "angry" that backmarkers cost him Assen victory shot
Danilo Petrucci has blamed the lack of blue flags at the end of MotoGP's Dutch TT race for him having to settle for second behind Valentino Rossi by just 0.063s.
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Rossi and Petrucci separated themselves from the rest of the field in the late stages of the race, as light rain fell on track and several riders pitted as a result.
While Petrucci was all over Rossi, he lost time while lapping Hector Barbera and Alex Rins during the last two laps of the race.
The Pramac Ducati rider, who had to settle for second, said the lack of blue flags cost him valuable time compared to Rossi.
"I'm quite angry," said Petrucci. "During the last few laps I saw it was only me and Vale [for the win].
"I was a little bit faster, and had more acceleration through the fast corners in the last sector, and I was preparing the attack for the last laps.
"But I found Barbera in the penultimate lap, in the last chicane, no blue flags. And then Rins, with the rain tyres, in Corner 6 in the last lap. I lost [touch with] Valentino.
"We arrived very close at the end, so it's bitter-sweet.
"So, yeah, I'm happy, but I couldn't win and I don't know, we fight always with rule and when it counts there is no blue flag in the last lap. I prepared everything, and then I found the door closed.
"Anyway, I'm happy for another podium and another great result."
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