Pedrosa: Physical issue a limitation

The Spaniard is set for further surgery following this weekend's race, after discovering that compression pressure from the plate inserted on his collarbone when he crashed at Motegi last October is causing numbness in his arm.

He was quickest in afternoon practice at Jerez today, but is expecting a tough weekend physically.

"I'm struggling in the same way I did in the Qatar race because the situation has not changed, but I cannot do anything to feel better, so I'm just focused on riding as best as I can," Pedrosa said.

"I'm doing short runs because it's better for me and working on the bike to prepare for the race."

The Spaniard was pleased with how his Honda was performing. He was second to team-mate Casey Stoner in first practice before leading the way in the afternoon.

"I think we are doing a good job," said Pedrosa. "The bike was working okay, it was moving a little but maybe because the grip was not so good today; other riders were also struggling with it and we saw some crashes in all the categories.

"Also the strong wind played a part in the afternoon, it was more difficult to control the bike especially on fast corners and we couldn't improve the lap times."