After leaving MotoGP as a full-time rider following a tough year at Tech3 KTM in 2021, Petrucci competed in the Dakar 🐷and MotoAmerica before a one-off MotoGP ride for Suzuki at Buriram last season.

Currently eleventh in the World Superbike standings with a🔥 best finish of fifth place for Barni Ducati, the 32-year-old has been called up by Ducati to replace Enea Bastianini, who๊ broke his shoulder in the Portimao sprint race.

Jumping into MotoGP without any prior testing is a massive task and the Le Mans weather๊ forecast currently predicts rain sౠhowers during each of the three days.

While mixed conditio꧋ns would make Petrucci’s adaptation even more complicated, if he🌳 gets enough time in fully wet conditions might an upset be on the cards?

"Cꩵoming back to race tog🌳ether with the Ducati Lenovo Team in MotoGP is an indescribable emotion for me, especially because I will do it on a track where I got my last World Championship victory in 2020,” Petrucci said.

“I will have the honour of trying the World Champion bike! It certainly won't be an easy weekend, also considering the weather conditions, but in the past, in the wet🌊, I ha🐽ve always been competitive.

“However,ﷺ the goal is to have fun and work well with the team."

Petrucci will have no better person to learn from as a team-mate with r🀅eigning champion and current titleᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ leader Francesco Bagnaia on the opposite side of the garage.

After retaking the points lead in Jerez, the൩ Italian will be looking to avenge a lat☂e mistake that cost him victory at Le Mans last season.

"I am happy to be bacꦰk racing in France, where the atmosphere is always incredible, thanks to the many fans,” Bagnaia said.

“Le Mans is a track I really l🗹ike, and where I was fighting for victory last year before the crash. However, compared 🅷to 2022, we expect lower temperatures and rain all weekend.

🐲“It will be a𓆏 tricky weekend where it will be important to stay focused."