Barni Spark Ducati’s Danilo Petrucci topped WorldSBK FP2 in Portimao, something he said “sur𝓀prised” him.

The Italian ended FP2🎃 at a track he says he likes 0.024 seconds ahead of the factory Ducati team’s Alvaro Bautista, who suffered a crash towards the end of the evening sღession.

"I'm quite surprised,” Petrucci said atꦗ the end of Friday, “because I struggled here last year even though it's always been [a track] that I ꦫlike.”

Petrucci put his performance down to 𝐆setup changes, as well as a development version of the SC0-compound rear tyre brought to Portimao by Pirelli, which the Italian manufacturer says “rep𓆉resents an evolution in terms of robustness of the standard SC0.”

Petrucci, though, said it was the grip the ne༺w tyre offered that he liked. “Today,” he said, “I felt good on the bike and I was able to push and find a good rhythm. We made a few setting changes in the afternoon and I tried the new rear tyre. This tyre was a step forward and I felt good immediately. The tyre is grippy so I liked it.

“We also did something with the front end of the bik🐼e, and I have a good feeling there as well."

Petrucci also confirmed that the eff𒁏ects of the injuries he sustained in a motocross crash earlier this year are sti൩ll present. “I didn't expect to finish the day with the fastest time so I'm surprised but also happy,” he said, adding that “I'm still recovering from my injuries and my right arm is a bit tired. I hope this result gives me some happiness and strength for tomorrow."