5 Questions With... MotoGP Racer Dani Pedrosa

During the recent MotoGP test at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, TX, which will host its first-ever Grand Prix event on Sunday, April 21st, Motorcyclist sat down with HRC MotoGP riders Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez for a brief interview. During this conversation, MotoGP veteran Dani Pedrosa talks tires, comments on Cal Crutchlow's predictions, and also reveals his choice for a street bike.
(Watch this space for the Marquez interview, coming soon.)

Motorcyclist: Does Circuit Of The Americas suit your riding style?

Dani Pedrosa: [pause] I don't know. It will be a little different, the track, when we come for the race because many more bikes will run, so there will be much more rubber [on the track], and the bikes will better suit the asphalt. Because now, the grip is very poor.

MC: How are the tires? Do you think Bridgestone will need to make something special for this track?

DP: I don't know, actually, I expected more grip, so it looks like the tire is not suffering and we are missing grip. But we are already using the soft compound. I guess when all of the Moto3 and Moto2 riders are here for the GP, maybe these tires are working better and then we can try medium compounds.

MC: We talked to Cal Crutchlow recently and he said he thinks you're the favorite for the championship this year. Would you agree?

DP: Yea, he's a funny guy. Basically, I try to be ready for this season, with the bike, with the team, and also physically and mentally. Last year I finished strong, so just trying to keep the momentum and start strong again and keep it up until the end of the season.

MC: Are you glad to see Rossi back on Yamaha? Does it improve the series to have him on a more competitive bike?

DP: I think he is more glad than me.

MC: What about motorcycling outside of racing? Do you ride a motorcycle for fun?

DP: I have a Honda Silver Wing 600, a big scooter. I use it, not so much in the winter obviously, because it's too cold in Geneva [Switzerland, where Pedrosa makes his home]  and the road is icy, but in the summer it's perfect for traffic. I use it because it's more convenient at that moment, really. I enjoy riding some other kind of bikes; motocross, supermoto, trials. With friends, stuff like that. But no, I don't go on the roads for fun.