Early mistake ends Dani Pedrosa’s title bid

Early mistake ends Dani Pedrosa’s title bid in Phillip Island Dani Pedrosa will start an eighth season as a factory Honda rider in 2013 still seeking to capture an elusive first MotoGP world title after an early crash in yesterday’s Phillip Island ended his aspirations for another season.

Starting the 27- lap race knowing that he had to finish in front of Spanish rival Jorge Lorenzo to take the title fight into a final round shootout in Valencia next month, it looked good early on when Pedrosa steered his factory Honda RC213V to the front on the opening lap.

But his failure to successfully negotiate the tight Turn 4 right-hander on only the second lap killed off his hopes of cutting further into Lorenzo’s 23-point advantage.
Pedrosa was unable to continue with damage to his right handlebar beyond a quick pit lane repair, which meant Lorenzo only needed to finish 13th to clinch his second world title.

The early mistake not only ended Pedrosa’s title challenge but also it is also ended the best sequence of form in his Repsol Honda career.

The triple world champion had won five out of the previous six races including the last three on the spin.

But the title he so desperately craves to win continues to elude him and he said: “It’s a sad feeling more than disappointment; I pushed as hard as I could; I did what I had to do and I have no regrets for my riding, especially this season. I feel very proud of my team and of my performance throughout the year. I think after what happened in Misano, we showed a very good attitude, skill and power. So, there is some sadness because we’ve been closer than ever to take the title, but also proud for all we achieved. Concerning the crash, it was nothing strange; I just went wider on the corner, I had some chatter and lost the front; maybe the tyre was not warm enough as well, but it’s like it is. “ For more coverage from the penultimate race in Australia, see the October 31 issue of MCN.