Today Dani Pedrosa, just 21 years old, extended his contract with HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) for another two years, so he will race for the Repsol Honda Team in 2008 and 2009. This new 2 year agreement is an extension of the Spanish rider`s successful relationship with Honda, a company that he has been competing with during the whole of his career in the World Motorcycling Championship.
Pedrosa has already been World Motorcycling Champion three times with Honda, winning the world 125cc title in 2003 and 250cc title in 2004 and 2005. Last season the Repsol rider made a brilliant debut in the MotoGP category, getting two victories (Chinese GP and the British GP), 8 podium finishes and four poles, results that made him Rookie of the Year in the top category. In 2007 Dani has won the German GP.The agreement reached today guarantees Repsol and Honda the chance to keep a competitive factory team, as Dani Pedrosa will be in the team with the reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden for the third consecutive year.
Dani Pedrosa
‘I am very pleased to have signed with Honda for two more years. Both Honda and I think that it is good to continue this successful relationship for another two years. We want to carry on together getting the results that we set ourselves some time ago. Although this year things are not turning out as we would have liked, both Honda and I are eager to come back next year with renewed enthusiasm and stronger than ever. I thank Honda for the confidence they have put in me and I know that they will be able to provide me with everything I need to be among the leaders. I myself will continue to do my best so that we reach our goals. I also wish to thank Repsol for their unconditional support; their collaboration with Honda is very important for me to be part of this project.’
Jaume Giró, General Director of Repsol
‘We at Repsol are very satisfied with the fact that Dani Pedrosa will continue in the Repsol Honda Team. Dani is the most valuable asset in the World World Motorcycling Championship without a doubt, for both Repsol as well as HRC, and he is a very important piece in our project in the fight to be World Champions. His three world titles and his quality as a rider are the solid facts that let us think that Dani is destined to achieve great feats in MotoGP. All the members of the Repsol Honda Team, in HRC and Repsol, are working together so that both Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden have all the components they need available in their fight for next year`s World Motorcycling Championship. ‘
Masumi Hamane, President of HRC
‘Honda and HRC are very pleased to have signed Dani for two more years. His talent is not in doubt and we hope to have a successful future together. This is the first season of the 800cc era and Honda has been suffering quite a bit. Although obviously we have not given up on the year, we have already started working for next season. We have several objectives, such as improving the bike along with the communication, and we will all progress together in that direction with a stroong fighting spirit. With Dani and Nicky Hayden together again, we have assured a really strong team that will guarantee the highest level of performances next year.’
