Pedrosa Staying with Repsol Honda Through 2016 MotoGP Season
Wed, 09 Jul 2014
Honda has signed Dani Pedrosa to a two-year contract extension that will see the Spanish racer stay with its factory MotoGP team through the 2016 season. By the end of the contract, Pedrosa will have spent a whole decade racing for Honda in the premier class to go with another five seasons in the 125cc and 250cc classes.
The signing follows a similar two-year contract extension for Pedrosa’s teammate, the reigning World Champion Marc Marquez while over in the Yamaha camp, Valentino Rossi also recently signed a two-year contract extension, making 2016 the year to watch for silly season drama. Of the “big four”, only Jorge Lorenzo’s fate remains to be determined, but with the two Honda factory spots filled and Ducati being a less-than-appealing option, it may be a matter of time before Lorenzo signs a new deal with Yamaha.
“We are very pleased to renew our contract with Dani,” says Shuhei Nakamoto, executive vice president of Honda Racing Corporation. “He is enjoying a very strong season and is currently tied with Rossi in the Championship, we are very happy with his performance. The partnership of Dani and Marc has proven to be successful and we look forward to another two years of success.”
After eight rounds this season, Pedrosa sits tied with Rossi for second in the championship race behind the undefeated Marquez. In 141 career MotoGP starts – all with Honda – Pedrosa has 25 wins and a total of 90 podiums. Though a perennial contender, Pedrosa is still searching for his first MotoGP-class title to go with his two 250cc GP and single 125cc GP championships.
“I’m very happy to be able to announce my renewal with the Repsol Honda Team, and grateful to Honda for the trust they have shown in me for a further two years. It’s the best way for me to continue in my racing career, together with the company I was with in my very first race. I am very excited to give my 100% and continue to work together with everyone at Honda Racing Corporation.”
[Source: Honda; Photo by GEPA Pictures]
By Dennis Chung
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