Despite dropping to fifth in the standings after a tough Assen race, championship leader Andrea Dovizioso and third-placed Valentino Rossi refuse to rule Dani Pedrosa out of the title hunt ahead of this weekend’s German Grand Prix.
Pedrosa emerged as a championship challenger when he cruised to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix, while recovering from 13th to third next time around at Le Mans.
However, a crash in Mugello on the final lap with Cal Crutchlow and a tricky ride to 13th in the damp conditions at Assen have seen the Honda rider cast 28 points adrift in the standings.
Moving four points clear after back-to-back wins and fifth at Assen, Dovizioso feels the unpredictable nature of this year’s world championship keeps Pedrosa in the hunt.
“Dani is very string and you never know, and normally he is pretty fast,” Dovizioso said of his former team-mate.
“Last weekend in those conditions, maybe it was a problem for his weight or riding style. But for sure he has a chance to fight for the championship, and with the situation of this year everything can happen.
“It’s easy to make a mistake, it’s easy to lose a lot of points if the weekend is going wrong. If your bike doesn’t fit in the best way for the tyres or you don’t work in a perfect way, it’s easy to arrive in fifth, sixth position.
“So, for sure, it’s open for him.”
Rossi, who moved to within seven points of Dovizioso after securing his first grand prix victory in over a year, echoed his compatriot’s thoughts, citing his recovery from early-season struggles as proof the Spaniard can still be a threat.
The Italian also highlighted Pedrosa’s typically strong form at the Sachsenring, a circuit at which the Honda rider has won at four times in the premier class.
“The situation of Pedrosa explains a little bit this championship, because before Assen I was fifth I think, (down by) 28 points, and Pedrosa was in front of me,” said Rossi.
“After Assen I’m third with seven points, and looks like Pedrosa is out of the game but this is not true because in Assen he don’t feel good with the bike, he was never strong in all condition.
“But from tomorrow I think he will be one of the main rival for everybody, because always here in Sachsenring Pedrosa is able to be very strong.
“So I think we don’t have to forget Pedrosa, because 28 points is just a little bit more than one race (win).
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