Pedrosa: ‘I am going to fight to the final corner on the final lap’

Dani Pedrosa insists he can still capture an elusive first MotoGP world crown in 2012 after vowing to fight to the final corner on the final lap.

The Spaniard’s world title hopes suffered a crushing blow in Misano last weekend when compatriot Hector Barbera wiped him out on the first after a disastrous chain of events.

The Repsol Honda rider had to start from the back of the grid having qualified on pole position after chaos and confusion ensued following an aborted start.

Pedrosa had been in the form of his life to win three races in four prior to Misano to slash Jorge Lorenzo’s title advantage to 13-points.

Sunday’s drama in Misano though means he trails the factory Yamaha rider by 38-points with just five races remaining.

Writing on his personal blog for Repsol, the triple world champion said: “I can imagine that you are expecting me to tell you a little about what happened yesterday (Sunday) but I think that most of you would have seen it on TV.

“The truth is that there is not much to say: it was just an accumulation of circumstances. We are a bit disappointed because the protocol during the whole of the grid formation was not followed but on the other hand my penalty was awarded following the rules to the letter.

“I do not think that is fair, but that is the way it went and now we cannot do anything. We accepted the penalty and we started from the back of the grid.

“Once there I knew I had to take a deep breath stay calm, and concentrate. I started out really determined, believe me when I tell you that I began the race in a calm state of mind, but I was also very determined because it was important that the leading group did not get too far away from me.

“I wanted to overtake so as to climb in the standings and see what could be possible at the end of the race. But unfortunately Hector braked later than he should have and there and then the race finished for us both. These sort of things happen in races.

“So far we have had an almost perfect season and now, well this has happened. I have been reading your messages all year and whenever something has cropped up it is you that pick me up and give me encouragement.

“Now it is my turn to cheer you all up and to tell you that there are still a lot races left and I am going to fight to the final corner on the final lap.

“We are going to work to win as many races as possible and then see what happens.”

For nine pages of coverage from the Misano MotoGP weekend, see the September 19 issue of Motor Cycle News.