Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa will go to Motegi this weekend full of confidence having establishing himself as the rider to beat in the second half of the MotoGP season. Indeed since the championship resumed after the short summer break, he has substantially outscored all his rivals.
As a result he has steadily chipped away at the early season championship lead built up by Jorge Lorenzo, reducing the gap by 16 points in four races.
Although the deficit of 56 points is still a large one with five races remaining, he is quietly confident that he can continue to apply the pressure at a circuit he likes - and which should suit the performance characteristics of his Honda RC212V.
Pedrosa turns 25 years old on Wednesday [September 29] and the perfect birthday present would be to significantly outscore his Spanish title rival once again this Sunday.
“We start the most intense period of the season this weekend, with five races in six weeks, and my goal is to make the best possible finish to the championship,” Pedrosa said. “I think we’re very strong at the moment and we must take full advantage of it.
“This final stage begins in Japan - the most important race for Honda because it’s their home Grand Prix - and I’m looking forward to getting to the circuit and starting the preparations for this special race.
“I would love to win at Motegi because I’ve never won here in MotoGP and I’ve been on the podium for the last two seasons. I always feel very motivated in Japan. I love the circuit and the atmosphere you feel there. The fans are very enthusiastic but also educated, and I feel a lot of support.
“We couldn’t race in Motegi at the beginning of the season due to the problems with the volcanic ash clouds, so I think the fans will be even more excited to welcome us. It will be very important to start this tour of Asia in the best way.
“As I’ve said before, I will approach this final section of the season simply thinking race by race.
“We’re doing a good job in the team, the RC212V is working well - we know it better and better - and so this a good chance for us to try to win more races and to finish the year in the best possible way.”
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