Dani Pedrosa ended his racing career in Valencia and finished fifth in incredibly difficult weather conditions. This led to the falls of nine riders – including 2018 world champion Marc Marquez – and prompted Race Direction to interrupt the first race on lap 13 and later – start a new one half an hour later.
Marc suffered a fall from third place on lap seven at turn 9 and was therefore unable to participate in the second stint. Dani restarted from fourth place over 14 laps in the second race and finished fifth. With 46 points, the Repsol Honda Team secured the last advantage with which it secured the team championship, and thus won the MotoGP Triple Crowns in a row after having already achieved the drivers’ title in Japan and the constructor title in Malaysia.
Dani is ending a hugely successful 18-year GP career, all as a Honda rider, having won three world titles (125 in 2003, 250 in 2004 and 2005), 49 poles, 54 wins, 153 podiums and 64 fastest laps of 295 begins.
After celebrating the FIM MotoGP Awards ceremony on Sunday evening, the Repsol Honda Team will start the 2019 winter test season on Tuesday with a two-day test.