Petrucci: "I felt the win very close"

Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) is on an incredible run in 2017, and followed up his first front row in Barcelona with another in the Dutch GP - just missing out on pole.

When the lights went out on race day, the Italian kept his form and fought at the front - beginning the final laps locked in a duel with nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP). Finding some traffic on the final lap, 'Petrux' was just out of touch for a lunge at the final chicane but came home an incredibly close second to take his second podium of the year - also his second in three races.

Danilo Petrucci, P2: "It was a great race! At the beginning we were quite calm, following Zarco and then when I saw Valentino go in front, I tried to follow him. I think in the dry he was faster but then the rain came and it was quite difficult. I tried a lot to get in front but it was too risky, then I noticed I was a bit faster in Turn 12 in the acceleration, my Ducati was faster - and I passed him with four laps to go, but he overtook me again. Then on the last lap I found Rins and almost crashed passing him, so I'd lost valentino. But I'm happy, it's a great result but I felt the win very close. The common thing from yesterday was that I was in front and then lost out at the end - then again today I was in front and then lost at the end! Here I wanted to be very strong, and I'm happy because next week we're in Germany, a track I like where last year I was on the second row in the dry and led the race in the wet. I'm also happy for the Championship because we're quite close - and I'm always there, even me! I like being here..."