Casey was Creative; Marc Excels at Adapting to Data - Dani Pedrosa

Do you think you could ride a motorcycle in Indian traffic? Have you seen how chaotic it is?

I was joking with some of the KTM team; they were asking me, "Dani, are you ready? We want you to give some tips to the riders." And I was thinking… this is the best school! I need to come here, ride in the city, and learn how people ride. It’s crazy!

Coming to the KTM Cup, you’ve seen Indian riders. What differences do you notice between riders in Europe and India?

I’ve just arrived, so I haven’t studied them much yet. But one clear difference is the age at which riders start. In Europe, kids start very young –super young. We have minibike categories, then slightly bigger classes, and so on. From age 6 to 14, there are many levels. This allows them to evolve a lot. They watch racing on TV and compete in many championships. The platform is very well prepared for them to start early. That’s what I’ve noticed so far.

Let’s talk MotoGP. What do you think about the current season?

I don’t know the future, but I wasn’t expecting someone like Marquez to struggle a bit. I expect Bezzecchi to continue winning, but Martín has also surprised me. Clearly, Aprilia has taken a big step forward. Acosta started very strongly in the first round, but the second was difficult. So it’s hard to predict. But I feel Marc will have to step up his game to challenge Bezzecchi. I think Aprilia is very strong this year. Even in testing, their test rider is very fast. That usually means the bike is good.

You recently tested next year’s bike with Pirelli tyres. What differences can we expect compared to Michelin?

Unfortunately, I can’t speak about that yet. But tyres always have a character. Depending on your riding style, they may suit you more or less. Some riders will adapt quickly, while others will need time. Maybe 6–12 months to adjust their braking, body position, and riding style. That’s not easy because these habits are deeply ingrained.

What about someone like Toprak, who’s used to Pirelli tyres?

Yes, that will help him. Right now, he’s still learning MotoGP, the tracks, the bike, the media, everything. Once that settles and he’s already comfortable with the tyres, he can focus only on the bike. He's going to step his game up next year.

You’ve seen both Marquez and Acosta as rookies. What similarities do you see?

The biggest similarity is their will to win, that impatience to succeed. As for differences, Marc had a more mature understanding of racing, media, and fans by the time he arrived in MotoGP.

Comparing Marquez and Stoner, what differences did you see in the data?

Casey was very creative; he would do things you wouldn’t even imagine. You’d see it in the data and try to copy it, but it was very difficult. Marc, on the other hand, is not as creative, but if you show him something in the data, he can replicate it very quickly. That’s a big strength.

MotoGP is evolving. Liberty Media, new tracks… your thoughts?

I don’t have full details yet, especially about new tracks like Adelaide. It’s originally an F1 circuit, so adapting it for MotoGP will be interesting. We’ll have to wait and see, but I believe good things are coming.

Do you think MotoGP bikes today are easier to ride than before?

Not easier, just different. Today, everything is more equal. So if you have a slightly bad day, you drop many positions. Earlier, there was a greater gap between riders.

You're still fast. Would you consider a comeback?

I’m 40 now. If I raced, I’d be competing against 20-year-olds! But… who knows?