It's impossible to ignore what Danilo Petrucci just did

So, since I raised it, I guess I owe you an explanation for my reluctance to follow the Dakar. Two reasons. First, it's a prime example of "sportswashing," where countries host international events that get good publicity to rehabilitate their reputations. The irony of Saudi Arabia allowing foreign women to come in and race across the country in competition while throwing citizen women in jail (and allegedly abusing them) for asking for the right to drive a car is not something that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy about the event. The second reason is that every time in the past we've posted a story on Common Tread about rally racing, I've been able to count the readers on my fingers and toes (exaggeration, but not by much).

Despite all that, Petrucci deserves some recognition, and beyond that there's a special angle for us race fans in the United States.

Many riders who have devoted their entire lives to honing their skills at off-road racing would consider it a lifetime accomplishment to win a stage in the Dakar, and rightly so. For a rider to come from a career of racing on pavement, including two MotoGP wins, to achieve that feat is something that's never happened before. Petrucci did it, in his first Dakar Rally, while riding with an injured ankle.

Remember when Michael Jordan switched from basketball to baseball and went from being the greatest to being a weak-hitting minor league outfielder? This is kind of like if Jordan had played his first game in the World Series and hit a home run.

Unfortunately, Petrucci won't figure in the final results of the Dakar. During the second stage, his KTM had an electrical problem and he couldn't finish the stage. A dejected Petrucci watched his motorcycle being hauled off from the desert by a helicopter. He is still participating and gaining valuable experience (this may be his first Dakar but he has already vowed it won't be his last), but he won't figure in the final standings.

Petrucci set the best time in stage five of the rally despite facing obstacles that MotoGP never prepared him for. Like camels on the course.

"After one corner there was a large dune with a group of camels on the other side," Petrucci said. "One big camel came into the track, and I had to avoid it, but ended up crashing after going across a lot of bumps and camel grass. That was my very first crash of this Dakar."

Next: Coming to (Moto)America

Ever since he lost his ride in MotoGP, there were rumors about what Petrucci would do next, including the possibility of him coming to the MotoAmerica Medallia Superbike Championship. As he started the Dakar, he blurted out that news to Italian media, saying he was looking forward to getting to know the United States and taking on a new challenge. Once the Dakar and Petrucci's KTM engagement is finished, I expect an official announcement that he will be riding for the Warhorse HSBK Racing Ducati team, replacing Loris Baz who returned to World Superbike after one year in the U.S. series.

Petrucci was always popular in MotoGP for his cheerful and emotional approach to racing and he's very likely to make a big impact on the U.S. national series. The last time a former MotoGP race winner came to the states, Toni Elias upended the series and won a championship in his second year. No reason to expect less from Petrucci, especially now that he's proved that he's one of the most multi-talented motorcycle racers in the world.