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Video: Bad news: KTM has canceled Dani Pedrosa's 'wild card' and he will not run the MotoGP race in Misano
2024 Author: Nicholas Abramson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-10 16:34
Bad news that comes from KTM. The Austrian brand has decided cancel the 'wild card' that Dani Pedrosa was going to star in at the San Marino MotoGP Grand Prix. Finally, the three-time world champion will not be on the Italian track next week, in a race that will not be as crowded as it was believed.
KTM had requested a 'wild card' for weeks so that Pedrosa was in Misano, where he also had tests a few days ago. But they have finally backed down and the Spanish driver will not contest his second race of the season, after the one he did run at the Red Bull Ring.
Pirro and Bradl will be; Savadori may be on time
"We have withdrawn the wildcard option for Misano. We still have enough material to test. That's why let's focus on the tests with Dani"confirmed Mike Leitner, the technical director of the MotoGP KTM team. It seems that Mattighofen does not want Pedrosa to have distractions right now.
Pedrosa already contested the MotoGP Grand Prix of Styria a few weeks ago with a great result. Although he got a major scare in the opening laps, he was able to get back on the bike, take the second start and finish in a formidable 10th position. It was the second best KTM on the track, behind only Brad Binder.
Although Pedrosa is not present, the presence of two other MotoGP testers has been confirmed. Michele Pirro will be on the Ducati, while Stefan Bradl will race with the Honda. The possibility of Lorenzo Savadori doing a 'wild card' with the Aprilia is even open, but everything will depend on his physical condition.
With this cancellation of Misano's 'wild card', KTM still has two invitations available for the rest of the season, although it seems difficult for them to be exhausted given the reluctance of Dani Pedrosa and the poor form of Mika Kallio, now 39 years old and fresh from a serious injury. Danilo Petrucci will probably replace him.
Who does intend to spend them, as always, is Ducati with Michele Pirro. Let's remember that the Italian was not in Mugello, a regular appointment, as a 'wild card' but as a substitute for Jorge Martín at Pramac, so the plan now is that Misano's double is made and the season closes in Valencia, as usual.
Pedrosa's withdrawal from the Misano grid is a double pity if we consider that the San Marino Grand Prix is one of two to be broadcast on television open in our country. It will be given by Mediaset, but there will no longer be the incentive to see Pedrosa again on a MotoGP track.
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