Incredible Pedrosa takes unexpected win at Sachsenring

For the second year in a row, Dani Pedrosa finished the German Grand Prix on the highest step of the MotoGP podium. It is the fifth time that the Repsol rider wins at the Sachsenring —the third in MotoGP and his second win this year—, confirming he is fully recovered after his two collarbone fractures. Today he won outperforming Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner, second and third, respectively, in a race that Andrea Dovizioso finished in fourth position.

The race started with Stoner and Pedrosa in the first positions of the starting grid. When the red lights went out, it was the number 26 Repsol Honda who took the lead of the race. The Australian was also overtaken by Jorge Lorenzo, who before the end of the first lap did the same with Pedrosa. Behind them, Andrea Dovizioso also had a good start, even overtaking Stoner in the second lap and Pedrosa in the third.

Nevertheless Stoner overtook Pedrosa a lap later and caught and passed Dovizioso and Lorenzo in the following lap, taking the first position until half race. The Italian was also overtaken by Lorenzo and Pedrosa, who increased the difference lap after lap. Dovizioso and his countryman Simoncelli got ready to battle for the fourth position during the rest of the race. In front of them, the victory and the other two podium positions would be decided among the current three strongest rider of the premiere category.

Stoner led the race until lap 14, when Lorenzo, that had been at his wheel, passed him and got the first position. He kept the lead until nine laps from the end of the race, when Pedrosa snatched the first position and started to increase the pace. Lorenzo and Stoner, very attentive, did not allow the Spaniard to escape. But in the second-to-last lap, Dani changed his pace and could start the last lap with a second of advantage over Stoner and Lorenzo. Victory went finally to Dani Pedrosa, who with this result puts an end in the best way to a difficult recovery since he fractured his right collarbone in France.

Dani Pedrosa 1st – 41:12.482
“It’s an incredible feeling to be back and win a race so early; I didn’t expect it, but this circuit has been always very good for me and I made it happen. I was already surprised yesterday with second position in qualifying and to finish the weekend in this way is amazing, a huge relief for me after a very hard time with injuries.

Here I suffered less than in Mugello because of the layout, but in the race today I had a strange feeling, something I’ve never had before. At the beginning of the race I wasn’t feeling great on the bike, I was fourth but I didn’t get nervous or worried because I’m still not mathematically out of the Championship battle, but I know it’s almost impossible.

So, I just let the laps pass and in the middle of the race, with less fuel in the tank and when the tyres started sliding, I decided to step it up a little and it worked perfectly. I’m very happy with this victory, I’ve been suffering a lot even though this race track is not physically demanding, because I’m still weak.

A big thanks to my family and doctors that helped me to be back here because they all know how hard it has been. Also to my team and to all my fans that never gave up, they deserve it also”.

Source: Repsol Media