Dani Pedrosa takes fantastic win in Japan

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa clinched victory for the second year in a row in Honda’s backyard in Motegi, with team mate Casey Stoner holding on to take 5th.

It is Dani’s fifth win of 2012 – his record in MotoGP, and he also equals his podium record in a single season (13 in 2004). It is another important points haul as he chases down current Championship leader Jorge Lorenzo in the fight for the 2012 MotoGP title, with just three rounds now remaining. With Lorenzo leading from pole, the two Spaniards ran away from the rest of the pack. Dani matched Lorenzo lap for lap, not allowing him to pull an advantage, and recorded a new record race lap of 1’45.589 on lap 4. Then on lap 11 Dani made his move and lead the race to the chequered flag, winning by 4.275 seconds and marking a new record race time of 42’31.569. With this victory, Dani maintains his position as the only rider to record victories at Motegi in all three classes.

There is no rest now as the riders and teams pack up and leave Japan immediately, headed for round sixteen in Malaysia next weekend. Dani, 2nd in the Championship with 282, trails Lorenzo by 28 points. Casey lies 3rd in the Championship with 197 points.

DANI PEDROSA
“It was a hard race because the pace was very fast from the beginning. I tried to understand the bike, as yesterday we had a lot of chatter so I didn’t know how it would be today. In the beginning it wasn’t too bad but then it got a little worse during the race. I managed it as best I could and I stayed with Jorge, I was able to get a better line out of the corner and pass him and then I put in some good laps and controlled the gap. Jorge tried to stay with me, but then decided to settle for the second place. We did what we needed to do and it’s just a pity that there is no one else who can stay with us because every race I win, he’s been second. But anyway, it’s a great feeling to win races and we are doing it now. Thanks to Honda and th e whole team, I’m really happy to win again here in Motegi!”.

Source: Repsol Honda Team