Pedrosa all set for 200th MotoGP

Bengaluru/Doha, March 17: As the new FIM MotoGP World Championship gets underway at the floodlit Losail International Circuit in Qatar on Sunday (March 18), Dani Pedrosa will add a slice of history as the Repsol Honda rider set to make his 200th Grand Prix appearance.

Since making his MotoGP debut in 2006, Pedrosa has competed in 199 races till date and each and every one of these has seen him representing Honda.

¡Día duro pero con buenas sensaciones! ¡Gracias por vuestro apoyo! ¡Seguimos!
Hard day but good feelings! Thanks for your support! Keep on going! #DP26 #Team26 #QatarTest #RepsolHondaTeam pic.twitter.com/KUbpA8YMzW

— Dani Pedrosa (@26_DaniPedrosa) March 1, 2018

The 32-year-old now begins season number thirteen in the premier class, and is - along with Giacomo Agostini- one of just two riders to have taken at least one victory in a dozen consecutive seasons at the highest level.

The Spaniard has been one of the standout performers in the pre-season and hopes to carry on from the winter test form.

"We arrive at the first race in Qatar after an intense pre-season that saw us do a lot of work. I feel ready for this year's challenge and so do my team. I'm really looking forward to getting on my bike," said Pedrosa, who till date has six podium finishes in Qatar.

Twelve years on from his first MotoGP appearance, Pedrosa has earned 112 podiums, a total that puts him ahead of legends such as Mick Doohan, Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey, and behind only legend Valentino Rossi, who is the only other active member on the grid.

His 31 victories, which have led to him finishing as World Championship runner-up in 2007, 2010 and 2012, rank him among the top ten riders of all time in terms of premier class wins, besting the likes of Kevin Schwantz, Kenny Roberts and Freddie Spencer.

As his latest campaign in the premier class gets kicking under the floodlit Losail circuit in the tiny Middle East desert venue, Pedrosa remained guarded about his chances for the season.
"It looks like this is going to be a very competitive year, with many candidates for the podium. Riders have been very competitive, as have the manufacturers. Therefore, more than ever we've to focus on our side of the garage in order to perform our best starting with the first race."

Pedrosa at Qatar GP

Has 6 podiums (MotoGP: 2nd in 2012 and 3rd in 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2014 - 250cc: 2nd in 2004)