Pedrosa says confidence has returned

The Spaniard ended Honda's long victory drought by winning at Laguna Seca earlier this month, having struggled in many of the early rounds following a string of injuries.

"I think we are getting back to the good feelings and to that point," he told AUTOSPORT when asked if he felt his confidence had returned." If we can keep in that area then I think we can be good. It's like Yamaha is now."

But he said it was vital not to lose any more momentum now that Honda was back on Yamaha and Ducati's tails.

"We just have to keep pushing, trying to be in the fight," said Pedrosa. "And if we can keep it up we will be there for the fight every weekend.

"But right now we have to focus very much on practice and make the most of it and then if we can reach a good set-up then we have a good chance on Sunday. But if we miss some practice, or we don't make a good job, then it is more difficult."

He added that a lot of development time had been lost when he was sidelined by his physical problems during the off-season.

"Of course I didn't make any improvement on the bike over the winter, of course I didn't keep up also in the first races," said Pedrosa.

"I was just able to ride the bike at the weekend and trying to get the maximum out of the package, me and the bike, and that was all. I couldn't concentrate on improving the bike, but since Assen, we are trying some items, and I hope now until the end of the season we can keep working and improving."

Despite Honda's recent gains, Pedrosa reckons it is too late for him to get involved in this year's title fight.

"I think it will be difficult," he said. "It looks like the two guys from Yamaha are focused on the fight, and they don't look like they are going to make mistakes.

"It is possible. But they were second and third [at Laguna Seca] so you don't take many points away! The championship is long but it is always the same four riders in the top four places. But anyway the point is to be racing the best we can and try to win some more races and try to save our season."