He came close to the podium in Saturday’s sprint race, putting Bagnaia in his sights, managing a finish like a consummate champion. Not everyone knows Dani Pedrosa, a 38-year-old KTM test rider, in the race in Misano come wild card.
–
Those who know him remember the little phenomenon from Sabadell (Barcelona) who stopped competing in 2018. After 31 victories in MotoGP, 153 podiums in all classes and three world titles, between 125 and 250 (one won on his debut). At the time he was competing he was considered one of the Fab Four of MotoGP with Rossi, Lorenzo and Stoner. His opponents considered him a master, the best example of how to ride a MotoGP. He stopped after a bad accident in Argentina in 2018, his last as an official rider. Fim immediately included him in the Hall of Fame, while Honda closed the door behind him. Ktm, at the suggestion of its former technical chief Mike Laitner, who in the meantime moved to the Austrian manufacturer, welcomed him with open arms knowing full well his value. As a rider, but above all as a test rider, one of the best around, equipped with a refined sensitivity, gained by riding two and four-stroke motorcycles.
Dani contributed with his experience to bring the Austrian bike to its current levels. He is considered by the KTM staff to be a fundamental player. His appearances in the race are occasional, mostly with the task of testing some technical innovation in the race to be developed for the official riders, but when he does it, the class comes back out, because every time it prepares like in the good times . An all-round professional. This year he had already surprised in Jerez, he did it again on Saturday in Misano, fourth at the finish line and first of the KTMs. In Honda, perhaps someone will eat their hands, starting with Marc Marquez, his teammate for 5 years. A test driver like this would be useful to get out of the technical crisis the Japanese company is experiencing.
2023-09-09 22:04:20
#Dani #Pedrosa #surprise #Misano #years #ran #sprint #race
