During his premature departure from the Spanish MotoGP, Dani Pedrosa collided with one of the lingering damp patches on the track.
Navigating the perilous damp patches proved crucial for KTM wild-card Dani Pedrosa’s surge from 16th to an unexpected top three finish in the Jerez MotoGP Sprint race, following a penalty for Fabio Quartararo. However, the local favorite’s fortunes took a turn in Sunday’s grand prix, as he succumbed to a lingering damp patch while negotiating Turn 8 on lap 3.
Reflecting on the incident from his twelfth position, Pedrosa remarked, “I made a good start and gained some positions. I was optimistic about the race and maintaining a good pace. However, inexplicably, I lost the front end in Turn 8. I wasn’t pushing to the limit there. Perhaps it was due to the slightest deviation from the perfect line leading to encountering a slippery surface.”
He added, “My goal was to secure a top ten finish. Nevertheless, we’ve gathered valuable insights with the new bike, understanding its capabilities and gathering ideas for future development directions. Additionally, we’ll cherish the vibrant atmosphere and the Sprint podium experience.”
Francesco Guidotti, team manager for Red Bull KTM, left no doubt about the cause of Pedrosa’s premature exit.
Guidotti expressed disappointment at Dani Pedrosa’s failure to finish the race, attributing it to hitting one of the remaining damp patches. Fortunately, Pedrosa emerged uninjured, though it was regrettable to conclude the weekend on such a note.
While any further wild-card entries remain unconfirmed, Pedrosa’s grand prix start count stands at 298. He previously expressed his desire to reach the milestone of 300, as revealed on the official MotoGP podcast ahead of the weekend.
Although the Sprint race outcome doesn’t contribute to his tally, Pedrosa’s current collection of 112 MotoGP podium finishes leaves him just two shy of his compatriot and rival Jorge Lorenzo. Interestingly, Pedrosa and Lorenzo have agreed to a charity boxing match.
Last season, Pedrosa competed as a KTM wild-card at Jerez and Misano, securing fourth-place finishes in both races at the San Marino Grand Prix, narrowly missing out on the podium.
Looking ahead, KTM’s new test rider, Pol Espargaro, is set to make his wild-card debut at Mugello in early June.
Stay tuned with We4GP for more news.
