Pedrosa: 'It feels like my first podium'

After leading for half of the opening lap, the Honda rider held second place throughout the remainder of the race, eventually taking his first wet Moto GP rostrum finish after almost four years of trying.

"After spending so many years fighting to improve my riding in the wet, I finally get a podium now," said the 24-year-old Spaniard. "I'm very happy and have worked very hard to improve at this.

"It's my first time in the wet, and, you know, it feels like the first time I've got on the podium."

Pedrosa had his team-mate Andrea Dovizioso trailing him for the first half of the race, but once the Italian crashed out on lap 13, there was the threat of Valentino Rossi lurking in the shadows.

"Yes it was tough, because Rossi was coming very strongly from behind - even on the last lap. So I had to keep focused and push hard.

"Finally though, I've got a second place [in the wet]. I'm very happy."