Top Selebrities: Pedrosa aiming for Misano repeat

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Pedrosa aiming for Misano repeat

By Sam Tremayne

Tuesday, August 30th 2011, 15:38 GMT

Dani Pedrosa says repeating his 2010 triumph will be the main target as MotoGP heads to Misano, San Marino, for the 13th round of the season.

Pedrosa took a dominant sweep of pole position, fastest lap and race victory at the 4.2 mile circuit last year, earning Honda their first win at the track since Mick Doohan triumphed in 1991.

Having finished second last weekend at Indianapolis, Pedrosa says the goal is to take 'another step forward' and claim victory at Misano for a second straight year.

"After Indy, we arrive at Misano in a very positive mood," Pedrosa said. "Last year we had a very good race there, and we will try and repeat this.

"Misano is a track where you need good acceleration and hard braking, so this will be our priority - we must also be a little stronger on Saturday and prepare for the race as best we can.

"After success in America, it's good to head directly to Misano and I hope we can take another step forward."

Pedrosa was led home by team-mate and championship leader Casey Stoner last weekend, and the Australian reckons the Spaniard could prove his main competition again in Misano - although he also tipped Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo to feature strongly.

"I know Dani and Jorge will be very fast there," he reflected, "but I'm coming off the back of three wins and in a strong position in the championship.

"In 2007 and 2008 we were fast there, then I missed 2009 and last year we struggled a little so we've had a mixed bag of results.

"We'll see what we can do, I'm confident we can get a good result."

Honda's third works driver Andrea Dovizioso said he was also eyeing a strong result in a bid to 'turn the page' on a disappointing weekend in the US, where he finished fifth.

"We arrive in Misano after a disappointing result in Indianapolis but we are determined to turn the page and return on the podium," the Italian said.

"We will continue fighting and we will give our best every race weekend, because we believe that second position in the World Championship is not impossible."