Dani Pedrosa helped officially unveil the Repsol Honda bike he hopes will take him to this year’s MotoGP title in Spain yesterday.
Dani has already been putting the latest incarnation of the RC212V through its paces in the last two tests at a steamy Sepang in Malaysia, but yesterday’s event, which formed part of the entertainment at the final round of the FIM indoor trial world championship, was the first time 7,000 motorcycling fans had had to see the new bike up close and personal, as it was lowered to great fanfare onto a stage in the arena at Madrid’s Palacio de Deportes.
“To be here for the Repsol Honda Team launch and to see the support of all our fans is a great feeling,” Pedrosa commented. “I’m feeling really motivated for the coming season, and our targets are clear – to improve in every area and consistently fight for race wins.”
The final MotoGP test of the pre-season begins this week in Qatar, and Pedrosa is confident that the problems they encountered in Malaysia, particularly with the new electronics, will be resolved.
'I’m feeling really motivated for the coming season' – Dani Pedrosa
“In Qatar, we will be working to improve a few more areas with the machine, and I’m sure that when we solve these issues we will take a big step forwards.”
Pedrosa’s team-mate Andrea Dovizioso has been suffering from flu this week, and with the final MotoGP test at Losail imminent, and the first race of the MotoGP season at that same circuit on April 11, Dovi has sensibly decided to rest and recuperate rather than join Pedrosa at the launch. However, the Italian did have this message for the Honda fans.
“I’m really sorry not to able to attend the Repsol Team launch, but unfortunately high fever and flu are keeping me in bed, and at this moment of the season with the Qatar test taking place next week, our priority is to be fit and ready for the last test of the winter,” Dovizioso said. “We have all worked hard during the winter… The partnership [I have enjoyed] with Honda is long and solid, and I hope that we can share a lot of success this season.”
For more on the Repsol Honda team, visit repsol.com
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