MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix

He’s been at the top for sixteen years in the World Championship – and he’s claimed his latest win in race number 3000

Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa has taken the top spot on the Spanish GP Podium ahead of teammate Marc Marquez and Ducati’s Jorge Lorenzo. The Spanish GP marking the end of Movistar Yamaha’s dominance in the early stages of the 2017 season, with Maverick Viñales and Valentino Rossi both off the pace in Catalunya.

It was an emotional, dominant and inch-perfect race for Pedrosa as he converted pole position into the holeshot and then gave a masterclass in handling pressure. Away at the start and managing the gap to perfection despite the searing track temperatures, the number 26 was unbreakable in the lead and eventually took the victory by over six seconds as teammate Marc Marquez settled for second.

Yamaha’s Maverick Viñales, the stand out rider of the season thus far started from fourth on the grid, but got pushed back to fifth as the field bunched up in the first corner. He put his head down, but had to let Johann Zarco pass him as he used the opening laps to get heat into his tyres. At the end of lap 5 the familiar number 25 found himself in ninth after a flurry of activity.

Back on top to take his first win in Jerez since 2013, Pedrosa proved his incredible talent once again – and moved up to within ten points of the Championship lead held by Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP). The Spaniard says he enjoyed the race more than ever – perfectly focused on the goal: winning.