Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa takes fifth place in 2011 season finale at Valencia – MotoGP news
Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa finished the Valencia Grand Prix in fifth place, while struggling under wet conditions.
He finished his 2011 season at fourth place in the world championship.
The 2011 MotoGP season finale started in almost perfect conditions but the rain in last few laps changed the situation.
The Spaniard was strong through the Spanish race weekend. He took second position on the grid behind teammate Casey Stoner.
Pedrosa said, “It wasn't an easy race. I did my best, trying hard but I wasn't feeling good on the bike, I was rigid and didn't ride very well. But especially in the end with more water on the track I struggled a lot as in Australia, so this is something
I will try to improve with my riding in the future.”
However, the race proved to be tough and dramatic when four riders crashed in the first corner of first lap. Alvaro Bautista (Suzuki), Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden (Ducati) along with Randy de Puniet (Pramac Racing) crashed out.
The Spanish rider was strong through the dry conditions and chose to race with soft compound front tyre. The choice was good for dry conditions but inversed the effect under rain.
The Spaniard added, “I had a good battle with Andrea and in the last laps I lost a place to Cal Crutchlow, but I couldn't do any more. Andrea and I were on a soft front tyre and we were maybe struggling a little more than Ben or Cal.”
Both teammates Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso had a strong battle during the race to conquer the second position until the finish line.
The Italian rider was fortunate to take an instant third position in the race following the crash in the first corner of the race.
Pedrosa and Dovizioso toggled positions several times and kept a close chase on each other.
While approaching the end of the race hampered the riders’ from pushing hard. The Italian pushed harder to open the gap from Pedrosa.
As the rain started Ben Spies (Yamaha) got advantage and overtook Pedrosa and Dovizioso. Until the final lap Pedrosa lost his position to Dovizioso and then Cal Crutchlow (Tech3) to finish in fifth place.
Tags: