His comeback was one of the season’s biggest draws, but Dani Pedrosa considers his brief journey through the MotoGP paddock enough. At least for this season. The KTM test rider returned to compete in a race last August in Austria, fulfilling the wish of many to see him compete again in a World Championship event. So his main purpose was to continue his work as a test pilot, although with the aim of understanding what race weekends are like now and how the 2022 prototype adapts to competition.
And it wasn’t bad at all. Although many would like to see him fight for the podium, Dani Pedrosa closed the Top10 of the Grand Prix of Styria. A race that he played with a motorcycle created from scratch by him and that left him feeling good on his return to competition. However, it has been enough for him. At least this year. The Spanish pilot left in the air his option to return as a guest to another appointment in the remainder of the year And although KTM first signed him up for the Misano date, the possibility is no longer real. Dani Pedrosa is erased from the Italian appointment.
“We have removed the ‘wild card’ option for Misano”, Mike Leitner, KTM Team Race Director, confirmed ‘speedweek.com’. Therefore, and despite the fact that the MSMA (association of MotoGP teams, gave the go-ahead for a third wild card in Misano, Only Michelle Pirro (Ducati) and Stefan Bradl (Honda) will be on the track on September 19. Of course, Pedrosa is expected to be present at the next IRTA tests, which will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday after the race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. One last test in Europe Before MotoGP heads to Texas first transoceanic appointment since 2019.
With the departure of Pedrosa from the list of pilots signed up for the Misano GP, The doubt that KTM left after the Spanish’s participation in Austria is put to an end. A change of plans that does not harm the brand in its work with the former Honda driver. In fact, the factory itself indicated last month that they would support the decision of their leader in the test team: “If Pedrosa decides that he no longer wants to race at Misano, there will be no problem for us. But if, instead, you enjoy the Spielberg experience and want to race again, we will be happy. You do not have to give more importance to whether you want to do it or not, Dani is very important to us, whether he runs races or not ”.
