Pedrosa: Oz victory hopes higher without Stoner

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa is confident he can challenge for a first MotoGP success at Phillip Island, with former HRC teammate Casey Stoner’s retirement paving the way for a new winner in Australia for the first time since 2007.

Pedrosa’s world title hopes were ended by an early crash at Phillip Island a year ago and heads into this weekend’s clash knowing teammate Marc Marquez could wrap up the world title in his sensational rookie campaign.

But after a terrific win just five days ago in searing heat at Malaysia, Pedrosa is still locked in a fight with Jorge Lorenzo for second place, with Marquez a red-hot favourite to capture the crown, given he will start Sunday’s 27-lap race with a commanding 43-point lead.

Pedrosa has only scored one premier class rostrum at Phillip Island, which today was battered by strong winds and heavy intermittent rain showers ahead of what is anticipated to be improve weather for the start of practice.

But he said he was confident he could be in contention for the win this weekend with Stoner not racing for a seventh successive success following his retirement at the end of last season.

Pedrosa said: “Last year I did a good practice and I was riding good for the race, so I was sure I could be on the podium. I don’t think I had the chance to fight with Casey but we could have had some fight with Jorge.

“Basically here it opens the door because Casey was very dominant in this race. We pretty much knew we had no chance to win here unless he made a mistake, so sure now the door is more open.”