*** Dani Pedrosa has signed a new two year deal with HRC, Honda confirms.
With rumors about his future and few declaring he will make a shock switch from Honda to Yamaha, HRC has decided to kill them by announcing their most loyal rider's future before the race weekend. Honda will avail valuable inputs of Dani Pedrosa at least till 2018.
The 30 year old has been with Honda since his 125cc debut in 2001 and this marks his sixteenth year onboard Honda machinery. 2016 marks his 11th season in the premier class, having ridden all the three iterations of GP machinery (the 990, 800 and 1000cc machinery). Dani's vast experience on Honda Machinery will help the Asaka based team to develop and make the RC213V more competitive. Mugello marks Dani Pedrosa's 250th GP start across all classes, all were on Honda machinery.
Dani Pedrosa quoted:
I'm very happy to stay with Honda for another two years. I'm grateful to HRC for the trust they've shown in me in renewing with me for another two years. The negotiations have been quick and I'm more than happy to continue with the same firm I've had my first GP start with back in 2001. Now that this is done I can completely concentrate on racing and give my best at Mugello.
Repsol Honda's team principal Shuhei Nakamoto, who is set to retire later in this year adds "We're very pleased to renew our association with Dani. We've been working together for many years, but his passion and dedication has been unmatched for a long time. We're glad to avail his experience in developing the RC213V into a more competitive package for the years to come"
With another rider's contract falling into place, the rider market is still wide open for all factories, with Yamaha, Tech3 Yamaha, Ducati and KTM having one seat open to riders. Who will go where, is anybody's guess?
By: Suraj