Pedrosa to use same bike as in Qatar

The Repsol Honda team decided to take two different bikes to Qatar, and it was decided only after practice that Pedrosa would race with the latest specification machine.

Teammate Nicky Hayden had to ride the 2007 specification bike.

Pedrosa says the team have now decided to stick with the new bike for this weekend's race.

"It's already decided. It will be the same as last race," the Spaniard told a news conference in Jerez.

Pedrosa finished in third place in the season opener, despite a troubled winter of testing that included a hand injury that was not completely healed by Qatar.

After three weeks of rest, the Spanish rider is not expecting any more problems.

"Sure, I didn't ride the bike from Qatar to here so I think the condition is better so I hope to have less pain," he said.

Last year's championship runner-up admitted he was pleased with the start to his season, but he reckons there is still room for improvement.

"Of course I was happy after the race. It was a good beginning but still we have to try and improve it, of course."