Before the start of this season, we agreed to imagine a three-way title race with a Marc Márquez in a duel against Maverick Vinales, all under the watchful eye of a Valentino Rossi ready to pull the chestnuts out of the fire. However, since the Spanish Grand Prix, a fourth thief has declared himself: Dani Pedrosa. His journey in Jerez does not look like a one-night stand. Even Valentino Rossi is now wary of it.
At the time of the assessments, the Doctor, happy to keep the lead in the championship despite a path of the cross in Jerez resulting in tenth place, took stock of the title race: “ we are three drivers at four points, but there is another at ten points. And I see Pedrosa competitive this season, he is in good shape ».
Marc Márquez didn't need that and it will be interesting to see how this situation will be managed within the HRC if the same Dani continues to take on the challenges of his teammate during qualifying before showing him his rear wheel in the race. A lesson taught in Jerez.
Because the World Champion laughed when his elder at Honda ended his press conference with these words: “ I'm really happy for the team. We have progressed a lot since the first race. We must continue like this, it's positive for the Championship ».
So the intention is there. And on his lands, Pedrosa cleaned up his statistics to remember everyone well. With its achievement in Andalusia, it brings to three the number of its realizations on its lands after those of 2008 and 2013. It thus joins Alex Crivillé (1997, 1998, 1999), and Jorge Lorenzo (2010, 2011, 2015).
Before the Spanish Grand Prix, the counter Marc Márquez had 30 victories, one more than his teammate Dani Pedrosa, who therefore tied for the status of the most victorious Honda rider in MotoGP. The same Pedrosa now has 146 podiums in all categories, one more than Jorge Lorenzo. Alone Valentino Rossi (224) et Giacomo Agostini (159) did better.
Dani Pedrosa has recorded at least one podium per year since racing in the premier category; or twelve consecutive seasons. Valentino Rossi et Giacomo Agostini accomplished this feat over 18 and 13 years.
Finally, the Spanish Grand Prix was the 3th race contested since the creation of the World Championship in 000. Angel Nieto distinguished himself there for the 1th (000cc German Grand Prix – Hockenheim, 50), Mick doohan for the 2th (000cc Japanese Grand Prix – Suzuka, 500). Dani Pedrosa therefore takes this prestigious suite.
Enough to finally build the morale of a MotoGP World Champion? That's all the bad we wish him.
