Rookie phenom Dani Pedrosa (Honda) took his first ever premier class win today in Shanghai, China, despite a tough challenge from senior teammate Nicky Hayden (Honda). The two Honda riders blew by early leader Colin Edwards (Yamaha) and set a series of new lap records as they ran away from the rest of the field.
Edwards hung on to finish third, his first podium of the year (actually, his first since Laguna Seca last year). Meanwhile, Edwards’ teammate and defending series champion Valentino Rossi was forced to retire on lap 17, due to a problem with the front tire on his factory Yamaha.
His second place finish helped Hayden extend his championship points lead – he is now 13 points ahead of Loris Capirossi. Pedrosa’s victory moves him into third in the points race. Rossi, meanwhile, sits sixth in the points, 32 points adrift of Hayden.
For more info, results, and points, check out the official MotoGP website.
