Pedrosa: “Le Mans proof of physical improvement”

As Dani Pedrosa’s points total improves each race weekend, so does his physical condition. The Spaniard seemed to be in line for a tough season after suffering an injury in preseason testing and being unfit to fight for the podium in Qatar, but a sharp turnaround in form has seen the Repsol Honda man right back in the thick of the title fight.

Last time out in France he qualified on pole, and snatched his third consecutive podium finish in a final lap move on teammate Andrea Dovizioso. Besides keeping him just nine points behind series leader Jorge Lorenzo, the recent run of form has also left Pedrosa more confident in his ability to keep up his pace over the duration of a Grand Prix.

“I was pleased with my pace in France, which proved to me that my physical condition is improving and I can go fast right to the end of the race. That’s an important point for Mugello because it’s a physically demanding track to ride, especially in the fast direction changes, and you want to be at full strength to be able to ride aggressively there - which you have to do in some parts of the track,” he says, looking ahead to this weekend’s GP in Italy where he has finished fourth, second and third in recent years.

“I think it will be a tough race because it’s the home event for my team-mate and for many of our rivals - plus some teams have tested here quite a lot. But I’m looking forward to the challenge. We must continue to work on our machine package and get the maximum possible result."

Reflecting positively on the opening to the year, Pedrosa added that: “I’m going there in a good frame of mind. We’re heading into the busy part of the season and our position in the championship standings, considering the problems I had over the winter, really isn’t too bad.”