The 2014 MotoGP Silly Season is rapidly closing, as HRC has announced the re-signing of Dani Pedrosa through the 2016 season in the MotoGP Championship. This means that Pedrosa will have at least 16 consecutive seasons with the factory Honda team to his name, where thus far he has been three-times the bridesmaid (once behind Casey Stoner, and twice behind Jorge Lorenzo).
HRC’s move solidifies the Repsol Honda team’s all-Spanish rider lineup, and quells any rumors of Pedrosa making a move to the Suzuki Racing project, which will reemerge into GP racing for the 2015 season. Pedrosa was never a likely candidate for Suzuki, though the Spanish rider’s presence surely would have signalled the level of seriousness that the Japanese OEM was giving the MotoGP World Championship.
The news also nixes any possibility for HRC to poach Jorge Lorenzo, another idea not given heavy thought, though would have left Yamaha Racing in a very precarious position in terms of championship contention. Lorenzo is now expected to re-sign with Yamaha, where like Valentino Rossi, he will continue for the coming MotoGP seasons.
“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,” said Pedrosa. “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.”
“We are very pleased to renew our contract with Dani. He is enjoying a very strong season and is currently tied with Rossi in the Championship, we are very happy with his performance,” add HRC Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto. The partnership of Dani and Marc has proven to be successful and we look forward to another two years of success.”
Source: HRC; Photo: © 2014 Scott Jones / Scott Jones Photography – All Rights Reserved
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