MotoGP news

Pedrosa had to settle for second

Repsol Honda's home star Dani Pedrosa guided his RC212V to second place in Sunday's Grand Prix of Spain after leading for much of the race. A crowd of over 123,000 spectators saw Pedrosa stretch his lead to 1.5s as he sought to repeat of his victory here last year, but in the end he was beaten to the chequered flag by Valentino Rossi.

When the starting lights went out, Pedrosa made his customary lightning getaway from second on the grid and the 23-year-old led for the first seventeen laps. On lap two the Spanish favourite broke his own lap record set last year as he absorbed the pressure from Casey Stoner behind him. On lap six of the 27-lap race, Valentino Rossi took over the pursuit and he was eventually able to pass Pedrosa.

Though slightly disappointed not to have won, Pedrosa was pleased with his second podium finish in succession after missing out on testing time in a difficult pre-season. The result means the Repsol Honda rider has been on the podium at Jerez in every year since his MotoGP debut in 2006. He now stands fourth in the World Championship with 41 points after three races.

"'I really wanted to win here but I knew it was going to be tough because Valentino has been very strong through the weekend and I knew he'd be fast in the race - and that's how it turned out," Pedrosa said after the race. "I got a good start, got out in front and then I just tried to concentrate on my race and see what the would happen. Although of course I wanted to win here for me, the team and the fans, I'm actually very happy with the podium."

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