Dani has come a long way, but he gradually succeeds in getting closer to the leaders and directly threatening them for victory. It was without the slightest hesitation that Pedrosa dove into the lead in the first corner at Austin, although starting from the second row, overtaking Marc Marquez, Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi in the process.
Dani had a difficult end to the season last year, having to withdraw from three of the last four Grands Prix (Japan, Australia and Malaysia), before making a modest return for the final event in Valencia. He ranked 6e of the 2016 Championship with a victory in Misano, and two other podiums with third place in Argentina and Catalonia
2017 started with a question mark during winter testing, with a Honda that could be improved. In Qatar, he positioned himself seventh on the starting grid, then finished fifth in the middle of a group of three, between his teammate Marc Marquez and the Aprilia of Aleix Espargaro. Dani qualified fifth in Argentina, but fell in the race.
He further improved his place on the grid in Austin, with fourth position, which allowed him to get off to a great start. Pedrosa bravely and confidently led the first eight laps ahead of his teammate Marc Marquez, unbeatable and undefeated in Texas. It was a big Dani, the likes of which we hadn't seen for a long time, including Marc who had to give his all and try again several times to overtake, then distance his experienced teammate.
Valentino Rossi passed ten laps behind Pedrosa to catch up with him, before overtaking him three laps from the end and thus stealing third place from him. For his 262nd Grand Prix, Dani reached his 145th podium, an admirable average. He rose to sixth place in the provisional general classification
According to Pedrosa, “ I'm happy because we made significant progress this Sunday. Overall, the weekend was also positive. We have made some improvements acquired during the last races.
“In testing, we were closer to the front. Qualifying is still not going as well as I would like. I nevertheless managed to get a good start to position myself in the lead at the first corner. This is the first time I have achieved such a performance in a while.
“I led the race for a few laps, but it was difficult to preserve the front tire. I could feel that the right side was completely worn out. As a result, I couldn't contain Valentino. After the crash in Argentina, I didn't want to lose the front. So I tried to reach the finish. »
GO! #AmericasGP pic.twitter.com/wCppAJoT8N
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) April 23, 2017
#AmericasGP MotoGP Race: Ranking
1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 43m 58.770s
2. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 44m 1.839s
3. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 44m 3.882s
4. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 44m 6.408s
5. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 44m 6.727s
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 44m 12.828s
7. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 44m 14.261s
8. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 44m 15.542s
9. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 44m 16.749s
10. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 44m 17.264s
11. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 44m 17.673s
12. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 44m 27.505s
13. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 44m 28.811s
14. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 44m 30.134s
15. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 45m 5.317s
16. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 45m 20.860s
17. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) +2 laps
Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* DNF
Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) DNF
Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) DNF
Maverick Viñales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) DNF
Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) DNF
