???? #MotoGP
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 11 September 2016
Dani’s back????
Winner No.8️⃣ in 2016 is @26_DaniPedrosa!
Supreme #SanMarinoGP pic.twitter.com/JbHpdQJXUv
Since the Italian GP at Mugello, every single race had seen a different winner. When the paddock arrived in Misano, there were two candidates hot on everyone’s lips as favourites to keep that roll going - and one of them won the race. Dani Pedrosa started P8 to make it onto the top step as winner number eight in stunning style – slicing past key rivals including teammate Marc Marquez, compatriot Jorge Lorenzo and home hero Valentino Rossi. The record eighth different winner in a row also kept Pedrosa's record as a race winner every year since 2002 intact - an incredible run despite a difficult injury record - and saw improvements found in the Brno test after the Czech GP start the come to fruition.
He strikes!@26_DaniPedrosa LEADS the #SanMarinoGP! pic.twitter.com/0VVokWAjT5
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 11 September 2016
Disappointed to come home second but powerless to stop Pedrosa, Rossi again beat Marquez at Misano to cut a few more points out of his lead - and was in front of Lorenzo, who completed the podium - but the gap remained over 40 points and the Championship leader was back to his controlled self; focused on the finish and the points.
Euphoria. #SanMarinoGP https://t.co/GPT03DymnM
— MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) 11 September 2016
Next? MotorLand Aragon: the track the number 93 knew was the perfect time to attack.