Dani Pedrosa re-signs with HRC

Dani Pedrosa has today renewed his contract with HRC (Honda Racing Corporation) and signed to ride in the factory Repsol Honda MotoGP squad for 2008 and 2009. The two-year deal continues the 21-year-old Spaniard’s long and highly successful association with Honda which has spanned his entire motorcycle racing career.

Pedrosa is already a three-time World Champion with Honda, having won the 125cc title in 2003 and the 250cc title in 2004 and 2005. Last year Pedrosa had a brilliant debut season in MotoGP, scoring two race wins (GP of China, British GP), eight podium finishes, setting four pole positions and taking the coveted Rookie of the Year title. In 2007 he has won the German GP to date.

Today’s announcement ensures a talented rider line-up in the factory Repsol Honda squad with Pedrosa once again joining American World Champion Nicky Hayden for a third year together.

Dani Pedrosa
“I am very happy to have signed with Honda for another two years. Both Honda and I considered that it was good to continue our relationship after so many successful years together. We want to stay together to achieve the targets we had set ourselves before. Although this year things have not turned out to be quite as we wanted, Honda and I have the spirit to come back next year with renewed motivation and to be stronger than ever. So I would like to thank Honda for the confidence it has placed in me and I trust Honda will know how to give me all I need to be up front. I will do my very best to achieve our goals. I would also like to thank Repsol for its unconditional support. Repsol’s link to Honda is very important for me to take part in this project."

Masumi Hamane, President of HRC
“Honda and HRC are very pleased to have signed Dani for another two years. Dani’s talent is beyond question and we are looking forward to his success in the future. This is the first year of the 800cc MotoGP era and Honda has been struggling a lot. Although of course we have not given up on this year’s campaign we have already begun the plans for next year. We have many objectives, such as to improve the machines and improve communication, and we will go forward together with the same fighting spirit. With Dani and Nicky Hayden once again riding together we have retained an extremely strong rider line-up which gives us valuable continuity for next year."

Address by Mr. Masumi Hamane, President of HRC
Motegi Circuit, September 21, 2007:

“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

“Today I am pleased to announce that HRC and Dani Pedrosa have reached an agreement for a new two-year contract for 2008 and 2009.

“Maybe you wonder why it took so long for us to reach this agreement. We had a full conversation about what we should do to win races for the remainder of this year and also to build the structure for the future which will let us win races. We continued our negotiation until today in order for both parties to be in full agreement.

“HRC begun a racing program called “New Generation" from 2006.

“The situation surrounding racing regarding environment and safety is becoming more and more severe. Also now we are in the era of Japanese manufacturers fighting against an Italian manufacturer, which is a kind of repeat of the racing situation in the sixties.

“Under these circumstances, I became the president of HRC on April 1st and since then I have been thinking what is the most important thing in racing. The conclusion I reached is, the most important thing is human relationships.

“When innovative engineering and the strong fighting spirit of a rider get together, we will be able to achieve victory, I believe.

“During our conversation with Dani, we put a greater importance on communications and sincere conversation. That resulted in our agreement today and I am really happy about it.

“Dani’s talent is beyond question and I believe our responsibility is to prepare a machine capable of winning.

“Of course we have not yet given up the title for this year, but we will prepare a machine which shows the true potential of Honda and also our true fighting spirit from the start of next season.

“With Dani and Nicky Hayden once again riding together we have retained a strong rider line-up for next year."