
In the world of MotoGP, few names are as iconic as Dani Pedrosa. His recent wildcard appearance at the San Marino Grand Prix was nothing short of spectacular. At 37 years old, the Spanish rider reminded everyone why he’s considered one of the greats, finishing fourth in both races, narrowly missing out on a podium finish by a mere 0.669 seconds.
For Pedrosa, this was only his third grand prix appearance since retiring at the end of 2018. He’d previously graced the track at this year’s Spanish GP in Jerez, and his return was met with admiration from fellow riders, including Aleix Espargaro, who couldn’t help but express his astonishment at Pedrosa’s performance.
Despite the applause and the thrill of competing at the highest level once again, Dani Pedrosa confessed, “It’s nice to come back and compete and perform well, but it’s not something I miss very much.” This might come as a surprise to many fans, but Pedrosa’s clarity about his feelings is refreshing.
When asked to evaluate his own performance, he remained humble, saying, “I wouldn’t know how to give myself a grade, but I’m quite happy with the performance. I do give the team a very high grade; they’ve worked well and without errors.” Such grace and humility are the hallmarks of a true champion.
Pedrosa also addressed the question that’s undoubtedly on the minds of many fans: Will he make a full-time return to MotoGP? His response was definitive, “I’m not considering returning at any time. Besides, you see the problem we have, there are more riders than bikes, we’re not going to mess it up any more.”
Instead, he’s found a new perspective on his passion for motorcycles, saying, “More and more, now I enjoy motorcycles from the outside.” It’s a sentiment that reflects the wisdom that comes with experience.
Reflecting on the San Marino Grand Prix, Pedrosa admitted he was more nervous on Sunday than on Saturday. The excitement and thrill of racing still run through his veins, and fourth place never felt so good.
When discussing the sprint race, he revealed his strategic mindset, “Yesterday I saw that I had more pace than Pecco and I thought that maybe if I made a good start I could qualify for the podium. But it was difficult for me and although I had more advantage over Pecco, I couldn’t.”
But what truly sets Pedrosa apart is his deep respect for the sport. He emphasized, “The feeling of the race was greater this Sunday. In the end, I thought that this was a race, the sprint is important and gives points, but the real race is on Sunday, that was my feeling.”
Dani Pedrosa’s return to MotoGP may have been short-lived, but it was a reminder of the enduring spirit and skill of one of the sport’s legends. Even if he doesn’t miss racing as much as we might expect, his presence on the track is a gift to fans and a testament to his enduring love for motorcycles.
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