Danilo Petrucci to Race at Dakar Again, but This Time There’s a Twist…

Danilo Petrucci will make his return to the Dakar Rally after winning a stage on two-wheels in 2022, but this time the WorldSBK rider will be doing so in a truck.

Petrucci, who became a WorldSBK race winner for the first time at Cremona earlier this year, made history as the only rider ever to have won a stage at the Dakar, and races in both WorldSBK and MotoGP, while the Italian also has race wins in MotoAmerica to his name.

A palmares that stands alone in terms of achievements, Petrucci is now looking to add a very unfamiliar but still impressive success to his name, which is to win at the 2025 Dakar in a truck.

Petrucci will be linking up with Italtrans and the Prometeon Tyre Group team, (Italtrans) which is also known for racing in Moto2, for what will be his first taste of four-wheel racing altogether.

Petrucci, who will again line-up at Barni Ducati in WorldSBK next season for the third consecutive year, will have a team-mate for the first time after the Italian outfit promoted Yari Montella following his impressive 2024 WorldSSP campaign.

But speaking about his new adventure, Petrucci was quoted by Gazzetta as saying: "I am very happy to join the Italtrans crew and I can't wait to get on board together with Claudio Bellina.

“I also thank Prometeon very much for making this unique opportunity possible. The Dakar is a fascinating challenge and I am excited to experience it for the second time. I will have a lot to learn and I will give my best to help make a good result.

“When they asked me to return to the Dakar I didn't hesitate for a moment, this race has left me a lot, it has made me realise a great dream, to race it and win a stage, to get to the end of the Dakar then gives incredible satisfaction.”

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