MotoGP news

Pedrosa targets win at home Grand Prix

Dani Pedrosa comes to the third Grand Prix of the season on Spanish soil still in with a slim mathematical chance of taking second place in the MotoGP World Championship. The Repsol Honda star lies 24 points behind Valentino Rossi, with 25 points available for the win. The single point earned for 15th place would be enough for Rossi to fend off his rival, but it's certain Pedrosa will be aiming for victory in front of his home fans to keep the possibility of second place alive.

The 22-year-old from Barcelona has claimed pole position for the three races running up to Valencia and was on the podium in Malaysia two weeks ago. His record at Valencia is excellent, having taken the race win, pole position and fastest race lap on three previous occasions - in 2004 and 2005 in the 250cc class and in 2002 on the 125cc machine. Pedrosa also still holds the 250cc lap record at Valencia - set in 2005.

Speaking about his upcoming home race Pedrosa said: "Valencia is a home track for me and the atmosphere is always very special because of this, and also because it's the final race of the season. The motivation of everyone will be very high as it's the last chance to get a good result and finish the year on a high - and certainly my target will to win here, and also to enjoy the weekend.

"We've had great potential in recent races but usually one area or another has given us a problem, so I hope that this weekend everything can come together and we can get the reward I believe we deserve. The track layout itself is not one of my favourites of the year but I seem to have gone well here in the past and it's a circuit that I have a lot of confidence at. Combined with the welcome from the crowd, this makes it a really special occasion for me and I'm very much looking forward to the race. Let's hope we can give the fans something to cheer about."

more news

• 05 Oct.
  • Photos: Sunday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner dominates home Grand Prix
• 04 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Phillip Island
  • Stoner on pole at home Grand Prix
• 03 Oct.
  • Photos: Friday at Phillip Island
• 02 Oct.
  • Elias to replace Nakano at Gresini
• 28 Sep.
  • Photos: Sunday in Motegi
  • Lorenzo misses out on podium
  • Pedrosa happy with podium
  • Stoner concedes title to Rossi
  • Rossi savours 'hardest fight' for title
  • Rossi takes sixth MotoGP title with victory at Motegi
• 27 Sep.
  • Bug ruins Stoner's shot at pole
  • Lorenzo celebrates stunning pole
  • Rossi disappointed with fourth
  • Photos: Saturday in Motegi
  • Lorenzo on pole at Motegi
• 26 Sep.
  • Photos: Friday in Motegi
  • Rossi looking for more grip
  • Stoner happy with Friday pace
  • Stoner back on top at Montegi practice
  • Dovizioso to join Repsol Honda in 2009
  • JiR to quit MotoGP
• 24 Sep.
  • Rossi aims to wrap up title in Japan
  • Stoner hoping for better result at Montegi
• 15 Sep.
  • Ducati confirms Hayden for 2009
  • Hayden and Honda to split
• 14 Sep.
  • Photos: Sunday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi celebrates making history
  • Stoner reflects on fourth
  • Rossi takes Indianapolis victory
  • Kawasaki confirms Melandri for 2009
• 13 Sep.
  • Photos: Saturday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi beats Stoner to Indy pole
• 12 Sep.
  • Stoner happy despite crash
  • Photos: Friday in Indianapolis
  • Rossi hopes for better weather
  • West finishes wet first day on top
  • West sets early pace in wet
• 09 Sep.
  • Yamaha riders unveil new R1 in Las Vegas

Homepage