Spanish rookie Dani Pedrosa claimed his debut MotoGP win at the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday to become the second-youngest rider to win a top-category race.
The 20-year-old Pedrosa, already a two-time champion in the 250cc class, finished the 22 laps in sunny conditions at the Shanghai International Circuit in 44 minutes, 7.734 seconds.
"I was just very focused on my job, trying to get the best lap time every time, going faster and faster," said Pedrosa, just 33 days older than Freddie Spencer was when he became the youngest winner at Spa-Francorchamps in 1982.
PHOTO: AP
Pedrosa won the hard way, though, starting from pole position but losing the lead after a rocky start. Clawing his way up from fifth place, Pedrosa snatched back first place on the ninth lap and never let it go again.
American Nicky Hayden was second to make it a one-two finish for Repsol Honda.
"I felt like I did about all I could do," said Hayden, who extended his lead in the season championship to 72 points, 13 ahead of Italy's Loris Capirossi. "I tried to put some heat on him and he never cracked."
Third place went to another American, Colin Edwards, on a Yamaha, a distant 14.6 seconds behind Hayden.
"These guys came through like a freight train," said Edwards, who celebrated his first podium finish of the season. "I was just trying to get a whiff but it was hopeless -- I couldn't keep that pace."
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