MotoGP fallout from COTA
Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa rode through the pain barrier to take an incredible seventh place finish at the Circuit of the Americas, only a week after undergoing surgery for a broken wrist sustained in Argentina. The Spaniard struggled all weekend with pain and swelling, but was still able to deliver one of the best performances of his career. “I didn’t think it would be possible to get a decent finish this weekend, because I felt terrible in the warmup session with a lot of pain and no energy. But just before the race I recovered a little and the doctors helped me with the pain, and that was very important for the start of the race because I was able to focus more and ignore the discomfort.
‘I was more cruising than racing. It was not too enjoyable ’
“I was able to stay with the riders in front at the start, but it was hard to approach and attack so I was more cruising than racing.
“But the effort and determination was worth it and we earned some points. I came to Texas just to try because the circuit is so hard physically.
“After the race, I was completely finished. My broken wrist hurt a lot but so did my other arm as it was having to do all the work. It was not too enjoyable.
“So to finish the race and get some good points is the best way to give something back to the fans after all their support.”