MotoGP News
Date: 30/06/2011
Repsol Honda MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa rubbished media speculation that a 'secret' training crash was the reason for his prolonged absence from the race track - and is still furious with Marco Simoncelli for causing his collarbone injury.
The pair exchanged words on Pedrosa's return to the MotoGP paddock at Mugello on Thursday, when they were seated next to each other for the Italian Grand Prix pre-event press conference.
Pedrosa and Simoncelli collided (physically) when the hard-riding Italian sliced across in front of the Spaniard, while battling for second place in May's French Grand Prix.
Pedrosa clipped the side of the Gresini Honda rider and fell, fracturing his right collarbone. Simoncelli remained upright but was punished with a ride-through penalty by Race Direction for not giving Pedrosa enough room.
For Pedrosa, who had overcome months of problems caused by a left collarbone fracture to win the previous Estoril race, the injury was a massive blow both physically and mentally.
Despite undergoing surgery to plate the injury - which can allow riders to return to action within a week - Pedrosa missed the following Catalunya and Silverstone rounds, feeding rumours of a possible training accident.
A picture of Pedrosa at a bowling alley with friends prior to Catalunya was used as evidence that something had happened, soon after the photo was taken, to halt his recovery.
When the 2010 world championship runner-up then underwent a second surgical procedure, it was seen as 'proof' by some that rumours of a secret training crash on a Supermoto bike were correct.
So was it true?
"Absolutely not," replied a clearly unimpressed Pedrosa.
And the bowling picture?
"Yeah I was there. Like I am here. Like I can go to the rehab centre, or in hospital," answered the former 125 and 250cc world champion.
So you weren't bowling?
"Do you think I am stupid or what?" countered an irritated Pedrosa. "There are some people around here who think they are Sherlock Holmes or something.
"I've already explained five times - in my blog, in press releases, interviews. How many times do I need to explain?
"I didn’t touch a bike.
"I was doing the rehabilitation therapy [after the first operation] and one small piece of the collarbone just opened up. And then every time I was doing any exercise this piece of bone was moving and causing pain.
"I rested for two days, but the pain was still the same so we did some more x-rays and tests. Finally we decided we had to fix it so another surgery was necessary. After that the collarbone felt solid and I feel more or less healthy now."
In the immediate aftermath of the Le Mans incident, Pedrosa and manager Alberto Puig didn’t hold back in their criticism of love/hate figure Simoncelli.
And with the wild Italian crashing out of two of the three races since - including last weekend at Assen, when he brought world champion Jorge Lorenzo down with him - Pedrosa feels their views have been vindicated.
"If someone is still doubting [that Simoncelli is dangerous] that is unbelievable. It is quite clear what he is showing on the track," said Pedrosa.
"In Estoril he was laughing about maybe someone will arrest him [when warned by Lorenzo about his riding]. Maybe he needs [that] because I tell you, his head has nothing but hair."
Once the assemble press had calmed down, Simoncelli was given his chance to respond.
"For me, we speak a lot about that incident," said the former 250cc world champion. "For me, the things he and his manager say are stupid. It is better not to speak with him or his manager."
Simoncelli has qualified first or second at the last five rounds, but is yet to finish on the MotoGP podium, something he will be desperate to do in front of his home fans on Sunday.
Pedrosa won from pole at Mugello last season.
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