Dani Pedrosa is not what you would call a beginner. It's quite the opposite. In the Grands Prix since 2001, he won three world crowns between 2003 and 2005, including a double in an intermediate category which was then called 250cc. This before Lorenzo and the current Moto2 of Johann zarco. But we tend to forget it. And yet, despite his 29 more Honda victories among the elite, he admits that he is still learning from his profession. Especially after his 2016 financial year which was his worst campaign since 2006.
The 2016 season was the annus horribilis for a Dani Pedrosa official Honda for ten years. Since his arrival in MotoGP, he had never finished outside the top 5 in the championship, a consistency lost last year. The teammate of a Márquez on the contrary triumphant and World Champion closed his last performance sixth overall with 155 points.
There were falls and injuries and so were the harsh comments. For a while, it was Honda that only listened Márquez to develop the RC213V, then there was the shocking sentence about fins assimilated to knife blades. Enough to disperse while Dani on the contrary needed concentration to familiarize himself with his brand new chief engineer.
Fortunately, honor was saved with a victory at Misano. One achievement and that's it, including three podiums after 15 races out of the 18 on the calendar. His HRC contract was still renewed. But in 2017, we will have to show another face: “ Last year it didn't go well. Fortunately, I still won a race. But I want more ».
And that would be the least given the equipment, experience and talent of the guy. So, what is still missing? Pedrosa ? He explains about MotoGP.com : " you learn a lot after such a season. We learn from all the situations you experience. Sometimes you think things are going to go a certain way, but the opposite happens. You favor one approach and it is sometimes worse or better than expected ».
« In 2016, I learned more than in other years about the right attitude to have. The year was complicated, but more than anything I focused on my approach. That's the most important thing. You are always learning and you have to look on the bright side ».
Work on oneself certainly, but there is also an essential technical aspect that he always puts at the forefront of his approach: “ I can't say what 2017 will bring because we don't know what kind of tires Michelin will provide us with. Only when you know the grip level of your motorcycle can you adjust it ».
« This is why tires are so important. They give you the confidence you need. But they can just as quickly take it away from you. It tells you that I am progressing by taking into account what did not work. But you also have to be focused on what you have and what you know ».
Dani Pedrosa will have to face again with a generation of pilots like Márquez, Iannone or again Casa Particular in Viñales who seem to have the ability to ask themselves fewer questions once on the track.
