Rider: Daniel "Dani" Pedrosa
Nationality: Spanish
Team: Repsol Honda
Machine: Honda RC212V
Born: September 29, 1985 in Sabadell, Spain
Daniel Pedrosa is a racing phenomena - plain and simple. The Spanish superstar turns everything he touches into a championship trophy. He was the youngest rider to win back to back 125cc and 250cc Grand Prix championships, in 2003 and 2004 respectively. In 2005, after sustaining a shoulder injury, he had 8 wins and 14 podium finishes en route to another 250cc World Championship title. Dani joined the Repsol Honda team in 2006 to test his mettle in the MotoGP class.
His first year in the premier class was a successful one, with Pedrosa tallying 2 wins and eight podiums en route to Rookie of the Year honors. The diminutive Spaniard was in the running for the title right up until the final two rounds, when he crashed out at Estoril, but, even more shocking, took out his title-leading teammate, Nicky Hayden, in the process. Pedrosa made up for the boneheaded maneuver as best as he could by shielding Hayden at the Valencia finale.
Heading into 2007 and the 800cc era, Pedrosa was poised for a title run, but could not come close to the dominance of his 250 rival Casey Stoner. However, Pedrosa was able to best Valentino Rossi on the final round of the season to steal second-place in the championship. For 2008 Pedrosa was on the RC212V, albeit running the number-2 plate. In 2008 Dani was one of the most consistent riders in the paddock, with two wins and 11 podium finishes for the
season.
Career Highlights
2008 - 3rd MotoGP (Honda)
2007 - 2nd MotoGP (Honda)
2006 - MotoGP Rookie of the Year (Honda)
2006 - 5th MotoGP (Honda)
2005 - 1st 250cc MotoGP (Honda)
2004 - 1st 250cc MotoGP (Honda)
2003 - 125cc World Champion (Honda)
2002 - 3rd 125 MotoGP (Honda)
2001 - 8th 125 MotoGP (Honda)
1995 - 4th 125cc Spanish Championship
1994 - 8th MoviStar Activa Joven Honda Cup
1993 - 1st Spanish Pocket Bike Championship
1992 - 3rd Spanish Pocket Bikes Championship
