The Australian Grand Prix turned the MotoGP World Championship upside down. It all started with the change of schedule due to weather conditions, a prediction that was completely correct. Although there was a full Moto3 race and several Moto2 laps, the final Moto2 lap was canceled and then the MotoGP race was canceled. Sunday’s race was the Sprint race, as the main race was moved to Saturday to ensure a good spectacle. Dani Pedrosa, this weekend’s commentator on DAZN, looks at three names after the weekend at Phillip Island.

One of the first is Marc Márquez. The Repsol Honda rider has had a total of 25 crashes. Pedrosa looks at how Márquez should approach the last few Grands Prix he has before leaving the Japanese manufacturer. “It will depend a little on each circuit. I think that, as happened on some tracks, the bike adapted less badly than on others. And there we saw him attack a bit more, looking for a good result. This weekend, we saw him do a worse time and adopt a different strategy. You can see the change in his attitude when he has the chance and when he doesn’t. In general, he has to analyze track by track. You can’t look too far ahead, just see how the bike can work in the next race. Also, in Thailand, the rear tire has a different construction, different from what it is now. We’ll see if this is a factor that influences the bike’s behavior.

Dani Pedrosa on the fight for the MotoGP title

Pecco Bagnaia is stronger than ever. The Italian took advantage of Jorge Martin’s mistake to finish second in Saturday’s race: ‘It’s a bit of his character. He’s a person who likes to analyze why he does certain things, why he has to ride a certain way depending on the tire, and how to attack his rivals. He likes to know why he does things and yesterday he had the patience to know that the important thing was to conserve the tire, trying not to lose too many positions. He found that middle ground, but without pushing. And that really worked.

Finally, Pedrosa spoke about Jorge Martín. For the current KTM test rider, Martín has to reset and stop thinking about what happened in the last few Grands Prix.

– ‘We shouldn’t waste too much time on the past and we shouldn’t waste too much time on the future, we have to be in the present. This is what has happened, I learn from it, I look to the future. But I’m not thinking about Qatar or Valencia, I’m thinking about the next race, the first practice. I’m going step by step, because in this situation it’s the smartest thing to do’.

O conteúdo Dani Pedrosa – ‘You can see the difference in Marc Márquez’s attitude when he has an opportunity and when he doesn’t’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

A few days ago, the anticipated news was confirmed: Marc Márquez would not be continuing with Repsol Honda in 2024. Following this announcement, Márquez revealed that he made the decision after the Japanese Grand Prix and that Dani Pedrosa played a significant role in this pivotal moment. Márquez mentioned that he reached out to Pedrosa for a ‘rider-to-rider’ discussion to gain a clearer perspective.

This morning, while commenting for DAZN, Pedrosa provided insights into how that conversation unfolded. Always discreet, the Catalan rider didn’t disclose the specifics of their talk. “Such conversations are private. I can’t reveal the content of such a discussion,” stated the KTM test rider. However, he did admit that it was “quite unexpected” for Márquez to contact him. “He sent me a message, asking if we could talk. He then called me, and we had a ‘rider-to-rider’ chat, trying to converse and exchange feelings,” Pedrosa recalled.

Pedrosa himself was unsure about the decision Márquez would make. “There were signs in recent times suggesting he might leave, like his results in the past years and the fatigue. You think, ‘He can’t continue another year like this.’ But then, he has a contract, a sponsor, a team,” he pondered. The three-time World Champion also mentioned that he wasn’t in a comfortable position to advise the current Repsol Honda rider.

“He was at a crucial juncture in his sporting career and needed some conversation, guidance, and opinion exchange. For me, it was a tricky position because I’m with KTM. I didn’t tell him, ‘You should do this or that.’ The decision was entirely his. We discussed various matters, touching on significant topics. He was in a challenging situation. I hung up the phone, not knowing what he would decide,” Pedrosa admitted. In the end, Márquez chose to leave the Japanese brand and join Gresini Racing and Ducati for the upcoming season.

O conteúdo Dani Pedrosa Sheds Light on His Talk with Marc Márquez: “It Was Quite Unexpected” aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Dani Pedrosa, a name synonymous with precision and skill in the world of MotoGP, has recently raised eyebrows with his observations. Five years post his retirement, Pedrosa returned to the racetrack, not just as a wild card for KTM in the San Marino Grand Prix but also as a television commentator. His dual role has been met with immense appreciation, especially given his keen eye for detail and his ability to provide insights that few can match.

During a recent practice session for the MotoGP Grand Prix in India, Pedrosa’s attention was drawn to Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia’s Desmosedici GP23. He pointed out an unusual bounce in the rear wheel of the Ducati bike, something he had also noticed when he trailed Bagnaia in Misano. Pedrosa commented, “That bounce that the Ducati has on the wheel, I don’t know if you’ve been able to see it, but I saw it a lot when I followed him in Misano. That’s very strange; that wheel with that kind of bounce is not natural. There’s some mechanism there; they must have something done that we haven’t fully analyzed.”

He speculated that the peculiar bounce might be related to a mechanism housed in the large box located at the rear of the Ducati bikes. This mechanism, he believes, might be assisting the wheel in maintaining contact with the ground, especially during instances when the bike’s front tends to lift.

Pedrosa’s observations are reminiscent of the time when Ducati first introduced the moving height regulation system (not the launch system) during the 2020 Malaysian GP on Jack Miller’s bike, who was then racing with Pramac. Alex Rins of Suzuki was the first to notice something unusual about that bike. Initially, not much heed was paid to Rins’ observations, but eventually, Ducati’s height regulation system was confirmed to be real and played a significant role in shaping modern MotoGP.

In recent times, it’s been common to see prototypes lifting their rear wheels several centimeters during certain braking maneuvers, causing instability. Pedrosa’s observations suggest that Gigi Dall’Igna, known for his expertise in aerodynamics and MotoGP innovations, might have found a solution to this issue. If such a system exists and is purely mechanical without any electronically driven hydraulic components, it would comply with the current MotoGP regulations.

O conteúdo Pedrosa suspects Ducati of ‘hiding’ system to keep rear wheel on the ground aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Valentino Rossi and Dani Pedrosa battled for several years at the highest level in MotoGP and The Doctor, who still follows closely the championship, said he is also looking with special attention to his former rival saying he feels happy to see him still very competitive.

Owner of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, Rossi looks carefully at MotoGP, even more when someone like Pedrosa stands in, as he told quoted on Motosan: ‘I always follow Dani when he does wildcards, he had an amazing weekend in Misano. It was impressive that he was fighting for the podium in the sprint, but even more so in the race on sunday. I am very happy to see him so competitive. We have been racing together for almost 15 years’.

Pedrosa who also got to spend some of his time competing in four wheels, like Rossi on even Jorge Lorenzo, isn’t the most active driver as the #46 recalled: ‘ ‘He doesn’t do many races with the cars, but for the bike riders the cars are a lot of fun, because you have a similar feeling. With the bikes, Valencia is always complicated because with the bikes we come in november and sometimes it’s cold, so it’s better’.

O conteúdo Valentino Rossi stunned with Dani Pedrosa: ‘He was impressive; I’m happy to see him so competitive’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Dani Pedrosa’s performance this year has been nothing short of remarkable. Despite competing in only two races, he has managed to secure a position higher than Marc Marquez in the standings. This is a testament to Pedrosa’s skill, determination, and ability to seize opportunities when they present themselves.

Marc Marquez, a multiple-time MotoGP World Champion, is undoubtedly one of the most talented riders in the history of the sport. However, this season has been challenging for him, with various factors possibly affecting his performance, including injuries, bike issues, or team dynamics.

On the other hand, Pedrosa, who returned to racing after a brief hiatus, has shown that he still has the prowess to compete at the highest level. His results in the two races he participated in were impressive enough to place him ahead of Marquez in the championship standings.

This situation underscores the unpredictable nature of motorsports. Even seasoned champions like Marquez can face challenges, while veterans like Pedrosa can make surprising comebacks. It also highlights the importance of consistency in the sport. Every race, every lap, and every turn counts. A single good performance can significantly impact the championship standings, especially in a season where the competition is fierce.

The dynamic between Pedrosa and Marquez is also intriguing. Both riders have been teammates in the past at the Repsol Honda Team, and they share a history of mutual respect and rivalry. Pedrosa’s current standing might serve as a motivation for Marquez to push harder in the upcoming races.

Fans of MotoGP will be keenly watching the next races to see how this narrative unfolds. Will Pedrosa continue his impressive run? Can Marquez bounce back and climb up the standings? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the sport is as exciting and unpredictable as ever, and this season is shaping up to be one of the most memorable in recent history.

O conteúdo Dani Pedrosa has competed just twice this year and is higher than Marc Marquez in the standings aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jorge Lorenzo, a former MotoGP rider, has criticized Honda for not retaining Dani Pedrosa as a test rider, suggesting that this decision played a significant role in the manufacturer’s recent struggles in the championship.

The challenges faced by Honda in MotoGP became more pronounced after the injury to their star rider, Marc Márquez. However, Lorenzo believes that the absence of Pedrosa as a test rider for the Japanese giant is also a key factor in their decline. He emphasized that Pedrosa’s technical expertise and sensitivity on the bike would have been invaluable to Honda, especially during such trying times.

Lorenzo, who concluded his MotoGP career with Honda at the end of 2019, expressed his views on the matter during an interview with DAZN. He stated, “In the same circumstances that Honda faced in the last four or five years, including Márquez’s injury, I am sure they would have performed infinitely better if they had Dani as a test rider.”

Lorenzo holds Pedrosa in high regard, praising his exceptional skills and achievements on the track. Despite Pedrosa’s smaller stature, he managed to secure numerous victories in MotoGP, a feat that Lorenzo finds remarkable. He said, “The merits he has throughout his career are enormous. I’ve never seen such a small rider achieve so many wins in MotoGP. It’s unprecedented, showcasing the technique he had to develop to achieve this.”

The real winner in this scenario, according to Lorenzo, is KTM. The Austrian manufacturer was astute in securing Pedrosa’s services, and his contributions have been evident in their steady progress over the years. Lorenzo believes that Pedrosa’s technical acumen and keen sense of the bike have been instrumental in KTM’s growth. He elaborated, “On a technical level and in terms of sensations, Pedrosa is a super-sensitive rider who greatly helps in understanding which components are right and which ones are wrong. He proved this at KTM, and Honda lost a lot when he left.”

In essence, Lorenzo’s comments underline the importance of experienced test riders in the development and refinement of MotoGP machines. Pedrosa’s departure from Honda and his subsequent success with KTM serve as a testament to his value and the potential missed opportunity for Honda.

O conteúdo Jorge Lorenzo points the finger at Honda for letting Dani Pedrosa go: ‘They lost a lot by letting him go; he’s very technical to develop’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Esteban Garcia, the chief technician for Dani Pedrosa, has shared his insights on the Misano GP, stating, “To overtake Bagnaia, he would have had to lean on him, and Dani doesn’t like being in the spotlight for causing another rider to fall.”

It seems almost unbelievable, but with just two Grand Prix races this season, Dani Pedrosa is ahead of Marc Marquez by one point in the World Championship standings. During the wild card races in Jerez and Misano, the Spanish rider had nothing to prove, yet he left a significant impression. Especially in Italy, where he came close to the podium in both the sprint and the Sunday race. Moreover, he consistently emerged as the best KTM rider at the finish line.

In an interview with AS, Esteban Garcia discussed Pedrosa’s performance over the Misano weekend. He said, “Dani is very much a perfectionist, and so am I. I like being at his level, and it’s an intriguing challenge. With Dani, there’s a lot to learn, and it’s a significant responsibility to be with him in the box. You have to match his level, both as a rider and as a person, but I enjoy it.”

Many wonder if Pedrosa, who is approaching 38, would be capable of racing an entire season. Garcia responded, “He won’t do it, but he has the riding level to race for a full season. He proved it in Jerez and Misano, where the podium was within our reach in both races.”

Regarding the podium, it seemed that Pedrosa could have clinched the third spot on both Saturday and Sunday. However, he appeared reluctant to take too many risks when trying to overtake Bagnaia. Garcia explained, “Dani is a rider who doesn’t like to be known for making mistakes. We were at Misano to test some materials, and being in the spotlight for causing a rider to fall isn’t the best thing to do and isn’t pleasant. To overtake in MotoGP, especially against Pecco, who brakes very late, you simply had to lean on him, and we weren’t there for that.”

O conteúdo Pedrosa’s Chief Technician Believes He Has the Level to Race an Entire Season aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Alvaro Bautista, while at Magny-Cours for his WSBK race, keenly observed the events at Misano, the circuit that hosted the San Marino Grand Prix. This race marked Dani Pedrosa’s second appearance in a MotoGP competition. The results were outstanding, and Bautista, the reigning Ducati World Champion in the category for production-based motorcycles, took note. He is set to make a wild-card appearance at Sepang during the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix.

Initially, Bautista’s wild-card entry was meant to be a celebratory gesture, a reward for clinching a world title that Ducati had been chasing since 2011. However, Pedrosa’s stellar performance, which included two fourth-place finishes in the Sprint race and the Grand Prix, as well as top-tier performances in the qualifiers and all practice sessions, has set a benchmark. This benchmark now serves as a reference point for all test riders or retired racers making guest appearances.

Bautista on Pedrosa’s Performance

Speaking to crash.net, Bautista expressed his happiness for Pedrosa, stating, “I’m pleased with Dani’s result. It shows that riders from our generation are at a high level, even with the pressure from younger riders.” Reflecting on his upcoming race, Bautista added, “We’ll see what happens at Sepang. Right now, there’s more pressure on me because I have to do what he did!” He concluded by praising Pedrosa, saying, “I’m just happy for him because he’s a great guy and an excellent rider.”

However, Bautista’s situation differs from Pedrosa’s. While he is an official WSBK rider and is in the rhythm of competition, he will be returning to MotoGP races at Sepang after a break of nearly five years. The 2006 125cc World Champion has raced for Suzuki, Honda, Aprilia, and Ducati in the MotoGP category from 2010 to 2018. He has achieved three podium finishes but has never secured a win in MotoGP. His best personal performance in the premier class was fifth in the overall standings in the 2012 season.

Bautista’s Take on the Opportunity

On his wild-card opportunity, Bautista shared, “I’m fortunate that Ducati and Aruba are giving me this chance at Sepang. For Ducati, the best option was Valencia. But when I do a wild-card, I want to enjoy it. I don’t want any expectations regarding results. I don’t like the Valencia track; everything is too small, like a karting track. The weather is likely cold, and there might be rain. I raced my last MotoGP race there in 2018, and it rained the entire weekend. If I have a choice, I prefer Sepang. I love that track, and I’m sure I’ll have fun there. Ducati mentioned that this would be a bit more expensive, but they’re going ahead. Winning the 2022 title is an added bonus.”

Bautista’s comments highlight the challenges and pressures riders face, not just from the competition but also from their predecessors’ achievements. As the MotoGP season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Bautista fares in Sepang, especially with the weight of expectations set by Pedrosa’s recent performance.

O conteúdo Alvaro Bautista Feels the Pressure After Pedrosa’s Performance aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Dani Pedrosa returned to competition this weekend and after a Saturday in which he came very close to taking the podium in the Sprint race, it was expected that the Spanish rider would also be competitive in Sunday’s long race.

The start of the race looked like it was going to jeopardize a good result for the #26, but the Spanish rider didn’t give up, and after difficulties in the debrief, he recovered his rhythm to finish in 4th place:

– I had a good race. But right after the start, in the first corner, I almost crashed in front of everyone. I had to warm up my tires as slowly as possible, because for the first 3/4 laps I didn’t have much grip. Then, at that point, the others overtook me and I couldn’t keep up the pace. Honestly, in the first few laps, when my tires regained good grip, I was able to pick up my pace and then Brad (Binder) fell off (…) . So I was always in 4th place.

The KTM test rider also assumed that he was thinking about victory when he started to gain ground on the three Ducati riders in front of him, even though when he got to the back of Franscesco Bagnaia’s bike he was on the limit:

– For a moment, I thought it could happen (to get to the front of the race). I was trying, honestly. There was a moment when the three of them were together and I was closing the gap in the middle of the race. (…) They can start fighting, maybe there’s a chance for us to win here, and even then it’s a long way. We don’t know how the tires will run out for everyone. So it’s better to stay close and I was getting closer. I was closing the gap and then I had a big moment. I lost the gap again. And towards the end of the race Pecco started to struggle a bit. He dropped his pace again and I managed to catch him again in the last 3/4 laps. I was putting pressure on him and when he felt the pressure he started to look back and covered all the braking points and protected his position. And I was on the limit at the end, to be honest.

O conteúdo ‘Maybe there’s a chance for us to win here’ – Dani Pedrosa aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The San Marino round represented the second wild card of the season for Dani Pedrosa. The #26 started the weekend superbly and in the first race of the weekend, the Sprint, he was on the doorstep of the podium.

Even so, Pedrosa doesn’t neglect his duties as a test rider, not even when he’s fighting for a possible third place with the reigning world champion, Pecco Bagnaia:

– Unfortunately I didn’t get the podium, but the positive point was that I was many laps behind Pecco and I was able to study his style and study how he uses the bike and how his bike was working, even if he wasn’t in the best physical shape today. (…) I saw some differences in some places and we’ll analyze to see if it’s right and if we have room to improve in those areas. But it was quite obvious what his strengths were. I don’t know if it was Ducati’s strengths or Pecco’s personal strengths, but either way we could see some areas where we can still make some steps.

Also when asked about his excellent performance and what the secret is, Dani Pedrosa says it’s a combination of factors:

– The bike is working well and that’s a plus. The team is doing a great job, my mechanics and all the KTM people at home, preparing the bikes. That’s great support and that’s why we’ve been able to perform very well.

And after an excellent Friday and a Saturday to remember, we can only wait to see what the “Little Samurai” can do in tomorrow’s long race.

O conteúdo ‘I don’t know if it was Ducati’s strengths or Pecco’s personal strengths’ – Dani Pedrosa aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.