Pedrosa thankful after tasting victory again

Sunday, 05 July 2009
After more than a year without visiting the top step of a MotoGP podium Dani Pedrosa acknowledged the support of those who helped him return to winning ways at Laguna Seca.

A stunning victory for Dani Pedrosa on Sunday at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix brought big smiles to the faces of his Repsol Honda team members, including his Crew Chief mechanic Mike Leitner and personal manager Alberto Puig, who have supported the talented Spaniard through a difficult period.

For the factory Honda team Pedrosa’s Californian success came as big relief following a year long win drought stretching back to June 2008 and Pedrosa’s home victory in Catalunya.

Indeed, the pressure had been mounting on Pedrosa for several months with a string of injuries and crashes – dating back to Sachsenring last year when he crashed out as he led the race – and the former 125cc and 250cc World Champion was quick to thank those around him as he stepped off the Laguna podium.

“It was a nice race and a nice weekend for us,” Pedrosa told motogp.com. “It has been tough but we did a good job and to finally get a win here is a good feeling. After a whole year with so many troubles and injuries this is perfect. Not only for me but for my team, because they also really needed it and we are very happy. I especially want to thank them for continuing to push forward in the bad times.”

Also acknowledging the medical treatment he has received in the past twelve months on catalogue of hand, arm and leg injuries Pedrosa stated, “I also want to thank the doctors who have treated me as they have enabled me to return to racing at this level. I want to thank everybody around me.”

When it was put to him that he may have a chance to exorcise some demons in Germany at the very next round in two weeks time, Pedrosa commented, “Sachsenring last year was very good until it became a disaster, so I hope this year it will be the opposite!”