Pedrosa 'in a lot of pain' ahead of US GP

By Michele Lostia and Pablo Elizalde

Friday, July 18th 2008, 09:30 GMT

Dani Pedrosa admitted he is in a lot of pain as he attempts to take part in this weekend's United States Grand Prix following his crash in Germany.

The Repsol Honda rider crashed heavily while leading the German Grand Prix and injured his left hand and his right ankle.

Pedrosa has travelled to Laguna Seca unsure about his chances of racing, but the Spaniard admitted his hand is hurting a lot.

"I'm here, but I'm not sure about my condition," Pedrosa was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport. "I don't know what to expect, only the first free practice sessions will make my hand conditions clear. I'm in a lot of pain, but it was right to at least try to be here."

Pedrosa lost the championship lead in Germany and is now 16 points behind Valentino Rossi and just four ahead of Casey Stoner.

The Repsol Honda rider concedes it would be very important to be able to race in the US.

"In Germany I crashed, while my two title rivals finished first and second. So it's getting tough for the championship, and that's why I decided to make this attempt," he added.

"But at the moment it's impossible to make predictions: everything depends on the way my hand will react.

"If you want to try to win, then you must push, because this championship is at a very high level. I was going well in Germany, I felt good so I tried to take advantage of the opportunity."