When the Grand Prix of the Americas was first organized in 2013, Pedrosa qualified in second position, before taking the second step of the podium the next day where he joined his teammate Marc Marquez. 2014 was once again favorable to the two Repsol Honda men, with the first two places in qualifying and in the race for Marquez and Pedrosa.
In 2015, Dani did not participate in the event for medical reasons, and in 2016 he fell without seriousness during the race, but his sliding motorcycle hit the Ducati ofAndrea Dovizioso. Pedrosa's record is therefore very mixed on Texan soil. This Friday, he achieved the fifth time 0.750 behind his teammate Marc Marquez. With a time of 2'04.811, using a soft tire front and rear, he was only 0.005 behind fourth Valentino Rossi.
Any hope of getting on the podium again in Austin is not lost, because since his first Grand Prix in 2001 in Japan in 125, Dani has proven his consistency. He climbed onto this famous podium in his first season at the Valencia GP, before winning his first victory the following year, in the same category, at Assen. In total, he climbed the podium 144 times (17 in 125, 24 in 250 and 103 in MotoGP). He even reached the top step on 52 occasions (8 in 125, 15 in 250 and 29 in MotoGP).
This Friday, according to Dani, “ We were able to improve after the first free practice session and try different things with the settings, and also the tires.
“We have to do a good job using the information we gathered on Friday to take a step forward on Saturday. We are mainly looking to improve the first and third sectors and prepare for the race as well as possible. »
Combined ranking of the first two sessions (compiled by our friends at Crash.net):
1. Marc Marquez ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 2m 04.061
2. Johann Zarco FRA Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 2m 04.347s +0.286
3. Maverick Vinales ESP Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 2m 04.451s +0.390
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Movistar Yamaha MotoGP (YZR-M1) 2m 04.806s +0.745
5. Dani Pedrosa ESP Repsol Honda Team (RC213V) 2m 04.811s +0.750
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 2m 04.830s +0.769
7. Cal Crutchlow GBR LCR Honda (RC213V) 2m 05.005s +0.944
8. Jonas Folger GER Monster Yamaha Tech 3 (YZR-M1)* 2m 05.033s +0.972
9. Scott Redding GBR Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 2m 05.116s +1.055
10. Andrea Iannone ITA Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) 2m 05.142s +1.081
11. Jorge Lorenzo ESP Ducati Team (Desmosedici GP17) 2m 05.282s +1.221
12. Danilo Petrucci ITA Octo Pramac Racing (Desmosedici GP17) 2m 05.284s +1.223
13. Jack Miller AUS Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 2m 05.463s +1.402
14. Aleix Espargaro ESP Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP) 2m 05.468s +1.407
15. Hector Barbera ESP Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP16) 2m 05.584s +1.523
16. Alvaro Bautista ESP Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP16) 2m 05.602s +1.541
17. Tito Rabat ESP Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS (RC213V) 2m 05.943s +1.882
18. Alex Rins ESP Team Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)* 2m 06.155s +2.094
19. Loris Baz FRA Reale Avintia Racing (Desmosedici GP15) 2m 06.358s +2.297
20. Pol Espargaro ESP Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 2m 06.503s +2.442
21. Karel Abraham CZE Pull&Bear Aspar Team (Desmosedici GP15) 2m 06.709s +2.648
22. Sam Lowes GBR Factory Aprilia Gresini (RS-GP)* 2m 06.741s +2.680
23. Bradley Smith GBR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing (RC16) 2m 07.434s +3.373
Photos Repsol Media
