Valencia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa seeks winning finish

Home favourite Dani Pedrosa wants to end a largely disappointing 2009 MotoGP campaign in style with victory in Sunday’s final race in Valencia.

The Spaniard has again failed to mount a serious title challenge in 2009 and goes into Sunday’s race needing to score 12-points more than in-form Casey Stoner to snatch third place overall in the championship.

The Repsol Honda rider though is confident he will be a strong contender for glory this weekend having scored four successive podiums, including a brilliant debut wet weather rostrum in Malaysia last month.

Pedrosa dominated the Valencia race in 2007 and was second behind a dominant Stoner 12 months ago and he said: “I always look forward to the Grand Prix in Valencia, and this year is no different.

“It’s a circuit I really enjoy riding at, even though it’s quite a tight layout, but what makes it really special is the way that you can feel the support from the fans all the way round the circuit.

“And of course, being a Spanish rider, I get a lot of positive attention here, which gives you some extra motivation too.

“I’ve had some good results at Valencia in the past, and this weekend it would be great to finish off the year with a win – that’s what I want.

“It’s not been the easiest of seasons and we haven’t been able to challenge for the championship so I’m even more determined to sign off on a high note.

“The result at the last race, where I got on the podium for the first time in wet conditions, has given me a lot of confidence too. We know it can rain at Valencia, so we’re ready for anything this weekend.”