MotoGP news

Top five results for Honda

Repsol Honda was satisfied after both of its drivers finished in the top five of the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi on Sunday. Dani Pedrosa managed to get ahead of 2007 Champion Casey Stoner to seal the final podium place, with team-mate Andrea Dovizioso's race ending with fifth position.

"I'm very happy with this result," said Pedrosa, who is still recovering from injuries worsened by a pre-season testing accident in Barcelona. "I've had injury problems for a long time - since last October - and so to be on the podium in the second race of the season is fantastic for me, and we really didn't expect this so soon." The Spaniard missed several important winter runs during his recovery, but challenged strongly on Sunday to claim the rostrum position.

"I got a good start," he explained. "The start was really the key part of my race, and I was able to get away with the front group. I couldn't really believe it when I stayed with them because I was expecting to drop back after maybe one or two laps. But then it was lap five or six and I was still there and I was thinking, 'this is unbelievable'. In the end I was near the front for the whole race, had a good battle for second, and finished on the podium so that's great."

Whereas Pedrosa is now looking to rectify minor issues with the bike, his team-mate missed out on fourth place to Casey Stoner's Ducati and eventually finished three and a half seconds behind. "I'm pretty happy after this race because, considering that we struggled a lot during all the practice sessions," Dovizioso admitted. "We were able to stay near the front for 24 laps; I was pushing really hard for a podium finish for the whole race, but in the end I couldn't make it. I think me and Dani just gritted our teeth and got on with it today. It's promising because we've reduced the gap to the guys in the front. I have to give my compliments to Dani - he did a great race."

Heading to Spain this weekend, the Italian leads the team's charge in the championship with 22 points and 4th place, a point in front of Pedrosa.

more news

• 20 Nov.
  • Rossi and Newey to contest endurance race
• 18 Nov.
  • Lorenzo recovering after operation
  • Dovizioso: Progress being made
  • Finland expands television deal
• 17 Nov.
  • 2010 Czech GP brought forward
• 13 Nov.
  • Bulgarian Grands Prix now in doubt
• 11 Nov.
  • Photos: Wednesday in Valencia
  • Pedrosa: One thing at a time
  • Valencia Day 3: Stoner back at front
  • Scot Racing pulls out of championship
• 10 Nov.
  • Valencia Day 2: Lorenzo goes quickest
  • Photos: Tuesday in Valencia
  • Provisional 2010 calendar released
• 09 Nov.
  • Photos: Monday in Valencia
  • Valencia Day 1: Stoner on top
  • Champions pick up 2009 trophies
• 08 Nov.
  • Frustrating end of the season for Stoner
  • Pedrosa enjoys home victory
  • Small mistake dropped Lorenzo to third
  • Maximum result for Rossi at Valencia
  • Photos: Sunday in Valencia
  • Pedrosa dominates in Valencia
• 07 Nov.
  • Rossi struggles at Valencia
  • Lorenzo enjoys 16th front row of the season
  • Stoner confident at Valencia
  • Unbeatable Stoner grabs pole position at Valencia
  • Photos: Saturday in Valencia
  • Stoner also fastest in second practice Valencia
• 06 Nov.
  • Gusts affecting bike performance, says Pedrosa
  • Photos: Friday in Valencia
  • Rossi: Quite a lot of work to do
  • Lorenzo searching for home victory
  • Stoner leads Friday practice in Valencia
• 05 Nov.
  • Suppo to leave Ducati
  • Valencia extends contract to 2016
• 04 Nov.
  • Spies reveals special Valencia livery
• 03 Nov.
  • Canepa to miss season final in Valencia
  • Rossi: Now we can enjoy ourselves
  • Pedrosa determined to finish on a high
• 27 Oct.
  • Ducati test rider to become Team Manager

Homepage