Dani Pedrosa, the return of “Little Samurai”

At almost 38 years old, more than four years after retiring, Dani Pedrosa did not hesitate for a second when KTM presented him at the start of the year with the plan to benefit from a Wild Card for his national Grand Prix in Jerez (Spain). But what could the development driver of the Austrian brand do against the big names of the moment after four seasons without competition? Friday, at the end of the first practice session, the KTM bearing the number 26 was at the top of the ranking sheet. On Saturday, the pocket champion completed the Sprint race, a completely new exercise for him, at 6^e place. Pedrosa taught the younger generation a lesson. The latter had the opportunity to share a magical moment with Dani during the drivers' parade, and to immortalize the moment with a selfie with the legend. On the verge of tears, cheered like never before by tens of thousands of delirious fans in the “Stadium” of the Jerez circuit, the man with 31 victories in MotoGP appreciated this moment which enriches a magnificent career which only lacks a MotoGP world title to complete his three crowns, two in 250cc (2004 and 2005) and one in 125cc (2003). The fault is certainly an atypical size with 1m60 under the measuring rod and less than 50kilos on the scale. Pedrosa has nevertheless worked miracles to courage and mentality on some of the most violent machines to master. 

Rebelote in Misano for Pedrosa?

Retired from Grands Prix since November 2018, Pedrosa, who spent his entire career with Honda, has since become a KTM test rider, due to lack of an offer from the Japanese brand to continue their collaboration beyond weekends of race. Too bad for the Japanese and good luck for the Austrians. And as the call of competition is a siren song that no rider can resist, Dani took part this weekend in his second MotoGP race since leaving the paddock, the previous one in Austria 2021 having already ended in the Final top 10. In Jerez, as since the start of the season, official drivers Brad Binder and Jack Miller did not fail to salute the capital contribution of their luxury development driver. Before getting on the podium on Sunday, Miller carried a Pedrosa 7 on his shoulder for a long time in triumph^e of the GP and acclaimed by the spectators present in the grandstand which bears his name. This 297^e Will the Grand Prix be the last of the Spanish veteran’s career? Probably not, to our greatest happiness, because KTM has confirmed a new Wild Card request for the San Marino Grand Prix, in Misano, on September 10.

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