With less than 48 hours for the start of the first practice session of the MotoGP class in Jerez, we talked to Dani Pedrosa during his personal countdown
In less than 48 hours Dani Pedrosa will be back on his new motorbike, the Honda RC211V with the number 26, the same number Dani got to race his first promotion cup and the same number he had on his bike when he took the 125cc World Championship title in 2003 and the 250cc World Championship in 2004. With the first GP in sight, we briefly talked with Dani about the preseason, the latest tests in Jerez and his first race, this weekend in Jerez. Now that the preseason tests are over, it is time for the first Grand Prix, this weekend in Jerez.
¿Dani, how would you assess the preseason in your new class?
‘I think that its been a very good preseason, because we have been progressing, and above all, there haven’t been any important incidents. The most positive aspect is that weve been able to lap a lot and that’s really good, because it allows us to know the bike better before the first race. It wasn’t bad for our first preseason in the MotoGP class, because we didnt have many crashes, only two, and we have always moved forwards, learning and improving. But the most important is yet to come, and that is racing because its there where you really see the differences between the top riders and those who aren’t ready yet. Thats where we are going to start learning more about the class’.
How does Dani Pedrosa arrive physically at the first round, the Spanish Grand Prix?
‘Much better than the first time I got on the bike. Riding the bike every day on the circuit has improved my shape as well. I will be improving as time goes by because the physical aspect isn’t something you can solve in one day, you need time to progress. Lets hope that once the years over, I’ll be closer to what this class needs’.
Are you getting used and adapting to the reactions of the bike and do you feel that you are riding more naturally?
‘Yes, although there are still things that are a bit difficult for me, but this is a process and it needs patience. For example, Im starting to understand much better how the tyres work in this class and thats very positive, but I have only tested two sets of qualifying tyres and Im still a bit green. On the other hand, the whole thing with electronics seems to be far away yet. I havent tested many starts either, but its normal to arrive at the first race with things yet to be learned’.
After the tests in Jerez, on Sunday afternoon, do you already know which tyres you would use for the race next Sunday, under normal weather conditions?
‘Well, it will always depend on Michelins plan, because they might bring some different tyres for the Grand Prix, but in principle, yes, we are quite sure about which to use. We did a good job in Jerez testing different compounds and we have more or less a good idea of what we are going to use next Sunday. You finally managed to do some race simulations, though not complete’.
Which were your feelings and conclusions of these tests in Jerez?
‘Yes, as you say, we made two race simulations, but not complete. The results were positive, and both tests helped me to see how the behaviour of the bike changes from the first to the last laps the bike moves a lot more on worn tyres and that means more physical effort-, and the way you have to adapt to the bike in this class. Those were very interesting and satisfying tests’.
Are you worried about having a good pace from the beginning in the first race?
‘I’ll obviously lack some ease and pace from the beginning, because it will be my first MotoGP race, but I remember that the second race simulation in Jerez on the second day, went already much better than the first one the day before. It was much easier than the first day to be fast from the first laps and to keep a good pace’.
Let’s now talk about your arrival in the Repsol Honda Team garage. You have already said that you feel protected and that it is the first time you have and feel such a support from a factory as Honda. You have also said that your idol, since you were a little boy, was Mick Doohan, the same Mick Doohan that was the master in the garage you are now. What will you feel when you meet your idol, Mick Doohan, in his former and now your garage?
‘Being in this garage, with the support of Honda, is a dream come true. Yes, its true, Ive always been dreaming about being in the Repsol Honda Team and riding Mick Doohans bike, with his colours…and now Ive made it. Its a big challenge; I know that it means a big responsibility and it needs a lot of effort and dedication. I guess meeting Mick Doohan will be a strange, exciting feeling… I dont know, I hope he gives me some advice..it will be very strange!’.
