Pedrosa upbeat despite test troubles

Honda was not able to match Ducati and Yamaha's pace in the Sepang tests last month, with Pedrosa in particular struggling with the bike.

But speaking at Honda's official 2010 launch during the Indoor World Trials round in Madrid's Palacio de Deportes yesterday, Pedrosa said he was still feeling optimistic - especially as he had no fitness problems this year, in stark contrast to his litany of injuries last winter.

"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," he said.

"It's especially good to be here today because last year I couldn't be at the team presentation because I was injured - and that was a strange feeling, sitting at home watching it. So 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."

Pedrosa hopes that Honda can find the pace it currently lacks in next week's final test at Losail.

"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," he said.

"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."

His team-mate Andrea Dovizioso had to miss yesterday's event due to illness.

"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," said the Italian.