Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa was classified eighth in today’s first-ever Indy MotoGP event, run in atrociously wet and windy conditions, due to the arrival of Hurricane Ike. The Spaniard had the toughest-possible conditions for his first race with a totally new technical package: new machine and new tyres. What he needed to accustom himself to his new technical package was consistent conditions that would allow to him to get a feel for his pneumatic-valve RC212V and Bridgestone tyres. But track conditions changed constantly during the weekend with unsettled weather caused by the fast-approaching Hurricane Ike.
After heavy rain on Friday and then bright, sunny weather yesterday, the hurricane finally arrived at lunchtime today with strong winds and heavy rain. The race got underway on a wet track, Pedrosa running in sixth place during the opening few laps. In the treacherous conditions he enjoyed a close battle for sixth with Sylvain Guintoli and Chris Vermeulen. As the wind and rain increased during the second half of the race a massive section of trackside signage came adrift, forcing the race to be red flagged. Race Direction briefly considered restarting the race but finally the result was called.
Dani Pedrosa, finished 8th, 3rd in World Championship: “That was a very tough race. I started quite cautiously and then I began to push harder, but in the mid-stages I wasn’t fast enough and I lost some time. Towards the end I found a good pace. Four or five laps before Race Direction stopped the race, the wind got really strong and there was a lot of dirt and debris getting blown on to the track. Indy and the Race Direction did a good job getting the track ready before the race. Finishing eighth is not a good result for me, but considering the conditions I couldn’t do any better. All in all, it has been an important weekend for us. We have gained a lot of experience in both wet and dry conditions which will help in the future, so we will keep working hard. The tyres worked well today and I’m feeling confident for the next race at Motegi in two weeks time.”
Kazuhiko Yamano - Team Manager: “This was a difficult weekend for Dani but he worked incredibly hard and gave his best. He is just starting out with his package of new machine and tyres, so this was a learning weekend, with weather and track conditions changing all the time. I am sure he will be ready to push towards the podium at the next races, starting with Motegi in two weeks time.”
MOTOGP RACE
1 V. ROSSI ITA Fiat Yamaha Team 37’20.095
2 N. HAYDEN USA Repsol Honda Team + 5.972
3 J. LORENZO SPA Fiat Yamaha Team + 7.858
4 C. STONER AUS Ducati Team + 28.162
5 A. DOVIZIOSO ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP + 28.824
6 B. SPIES USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 29.645
7 S. GUINTOLI FRA Alice Team + 36.223
8 D. PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team + 37.258
9 C. VERMEULEN AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 38.442
10 A. DE ANGELIS RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini + 42.437
11 A. WEST AUS Kawasaki Racing Team + 47.179
12 T. ELIAS SPA Alice Team + 55.962
13 R. DE PUNIET FRA LCR Honda MotoGP + 57.366
14 J. HOPKINS USA Kawasaki Racing Team + 58.353
15 C. EDWARDS USA Tech 3 Yamaha + 1’00.613
16 L. CAPIROSSI ITA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP + 1’05.620
17 S. NAKANO JPN San Carlo Honda Gresini + 1’05.854
18 J. TOSELAND GBR Tech 3 Yamaha + 1’07.968
19 M. MELANDRI ITA Ducati Team + 1’21.023
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