With the start of the 2010 MotoGP season that starts in April, the Repsol Honda Team held its official launch at the Palacio de Deportes in Madrid, Spain.
In front of 7000 fans who were present for the penultimate round FIM Indoor Trial World Championship, Dani Pedrosa rode in on trials bike to present the 2010 Honda RC212V with it’s new chassis and swingarm that he and team mate Andrea Dovizioso will use to contest in the upcoming season.
Like last year, one of the riders was absent from the event, last year it was Pedrosa who was recuperating from injury and this year it was Andrea Dovizioso.
The Italian rider was unable to attend the team launch because he is suffering from a bad case of the flu, prefering to sit out the promotional event in order to be healthy enough to take part in the final pre-season test that takes place in Qatar next week.
After the jump you can read what Pedrosa had to say and Dovizioso’s message, and you can watch the video of the team presentation in Madrid.
Dani Pedrosa: “To be here for the Repsol Honda Team launch and to see the support of all our fans is a great feeling.
I’m feeling really motivated for the coming season and our targets are clear – to improve in every area and consistently fight for race wins.
I’m starting this season in a really positive mood.
In general it has been a very good winter for me and much better than the last one.
I have been able to do a lot of physical training and work on my fitness levels.
Also I was able to rest after the end of the last season and, even though I had a small operation to remove a screw from my wrist, the recovery period after this was very short and I can begin the year in very good shape.
The training will help me a lot throughout the season to maintain my maximum performance.
”“At the last test in Sepang we couldn’t make all the progress we would have like to have done, but we still have two more days of testing ahead of us and we will take the maximum profit from them to prepare for the first race.
In Qatar we will be working to improve a few more areas with the machine and I’m sure that when we solve these issues we will take a big step forward – and I hope to do it in Qatar.
I’m looking forward to this season.
”Andrea Dovizioso:“I’m really sorry not to able to attend the Repsol Team Launch but unfortunately high fever and flu are keeping me in bed, and at this moment of the season with the Qatar test taking place next week, our priority is to be fit and ready for the last test of the winter.
Our common goal is to be competitive from round one – we all want to see the Repsol Honda machines fighting at the front every Sunday.
”“We have all worked hard during the winter: Honda has improved all aspects of the package, and from our side we have been committed in training as well as giving direction to the development team.
We know that it won’t be easy but we will give our best to fight with the fastest riders every race weekend.
I’m very happy to be in the factory Repsol Honda Team for a second year.
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