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Current moves forward at Sepang have allowed Dani Pedrosa closer to a win at the Malaysian track in his three prior years
in the premier class. Currently, the Repsol Honda competitor is aiming for his first MotoGP victory at a circuit where he
plans to increase the challenge on Casey Stoner in the World Championship.
Pedrosa has won at the circuit in both
the 125cc and 250cc sessions, in his three years in the upper class he has claimed two third placed spots and arrived second
last season.
With only six points apart from third placed Ducati Marlboro champion Stoner in the overall rankings,
a second victory of the year at this weekend’s Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix could keep the pressure
on in the battle for points.
“Sepang is a good circuit and I always look forward to this race,” states
Pedrosa. “I’ve won here previously with Honda in the 125 and 250 classes, and I’d really like to add a MotoGP
win to those victories. It could be tough because we know how fast our rivals have been recently, but still, the win is what
we’ll be aiming for as always – and also to challenge Casey for third in the championship.”
Pedrosa
adds, “The track has a fast and challenging layout – plus the hot, humid conditions we encounter here always mean
this is a physically demanding race for the riders, although we’re well prepared for it. It will certainly be a big
contrast to the cold weather conditions we rode in at Phillip Island last weekend. At the moment we are looking to improve
the stability of our machine and it’s important that from the first moments of practice we use all the preparation time
available to us to arrive in the best possible shape for this race.”
Andrea Dovizioso sits right below his
colleague in the championship and he enjoyed his initial MotoGP stage appearance at Sepang last season.
“I
really look forward to racing in Malaysia as this is my favourite track and I have good memories there,” says the Italian.
“Last year I had a strong race at Sepang and scored my first podium in MotoGP on the RC212V for the Scot Honda team.
I’m also confident about this weekend because, during the last part of the race in Australia, my feeling with the bike
improved a lot, and if we make a good start in practice on Friday I think we can go on to be competitive in the race.”
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