Pedrosa says Spanish GP a boost of confidence

After setting the pace for much of the pre-season running, Pedrosa has been outshone by Honda team-mate Marc Marquez so far this season, losing out to the newcomer both in Qatar and in a direct lead fight in Austin.

He finally got the better of Marquez at Jerez, and said his victory simultaneously derived from, and fed, and an increasing confidence and understanding on the Honda.

"It's now been three races, I feel more what the bike is like and what I need for the rest of the championship," Pedrosa said.

"Now we start to work on that.

"Obviously for the team, and for me, this is good for confidence - to be winning means a lot.

"It wasn't easy to find a setting we were happy with, but my pace was not so bad and I could control the gap towards the end. It was a perfect feeling."

Pedrosa said following Jorge Lorenzo had also been a useful gauge as to the relative strengths of the Honda and Yamaha, particularly as he expects both factories to be involved in a tight championship.

"I think it is the first time I met with Jorge this year, so it was good to just watch a little how he was doing," Pedrosa said.

"I saw some points where he was stronger, and some where I was more comfortable. I thought I could go in front, that's why I passed."

Asked about Marquez's last-corner clash with Lorenzo, Pedrosa said it was typical of last-lap moves at Jerez.

"Obviously it's the last corner, it's a fight for second place," he added. "This corner has this thing: when you win the position its 'yes, I know its on the limit but I win', and on the other side its 'shit, I lose' and its not so nice.

"The good thing is nobody fell, and it wasn't maybe on purpose to touch. These things happen sometimes in racing. It's the last corners at Jerez, that's it: finish the story I think."