Pedrosa and Dovizioso set for tight team contest

Just four points divide the Repsol Honda riders in second and third place in the Championship going into the Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya.

Repsol Honda riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso head into this weekend’s Gran Premi Aperol de Catalunya with just four points separating them in second and third. For Pedrosa it is his home race and follows up a strong second place result at Assen, whilst Dovizioso will be aiming to get back on the podium after placing fifth in the last race.

Pedrosa is aiming for consistency having taken a win and two second places, in contrast to finishes of seventh and eighth as well, and now wants to repeat his higher-end results having found a more satisfying level on his RC212V.

"The last race in Assen was an excellent example of how we will never give up. The practice sessions were very difficult but our team never became downhearted and we were working until the final moments to get a good result,” said Pedrosa. “So far this season we have alternated between bad and good results at each race, but hopefully we can reach a high level again in Barcelona - everybody in my team is ready to go for it.”

Pedrosa has won in the 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP (2008) classes at Montmeló, and continued: “It’s a circuit I always love to ride at because it’s very much my home race. We know that we will need to work very hard to set the bike up because at this circuit it is always difficult to find a good machine setting, and the one we used in Assen will probably not be right for this circuit. We must continue pushing in Barcelona this weekend."

Dovizioso has been close to the podium in his two premier class seasons to date at Catalunya, and will want to add to his four podiums so far this season.

“This is one of my favourite circuits, it suits my riding style and I think it should be good also for the Honda RC212V machines,” said the Italian. “I have always had good results here and I’m feeling really motivated. We have been strong so far this season and generally we have been improving race by race. We’ve finished on the podium quite a few times, and thanks to the work we put in over the winter we’ve been closer to front-running pace at most races. Still, we need to take another step forward so that we can compete for victory - that’s what we’ll try to do this weekend. I’m looking forward to the next challenge in Spain.

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