Pedrosa using bespoke gloves at Laguna

By Toby Moody and Steven English

Friday, July 18th 2008, 18:38 GMT

Dani Pedrosa is riding with a specially-made gloves for his injured hand at Laguna Seca following his crash while leading the German Grand Prix last weekend.

The Spaniard, who was leading the championship going into the race at Sachsenring, had surgery on his left hand in Barcelona earlier this week and said he wouldn't know the full implications of his fractured wrist and finger until riding in free practice today.

Both gloves have been made with a wider wrist area with gel on top of the glove to protect his fracture, while the first finger is much wider at the tip. The left glove has been developed with an external and internal joint between the first and middle finger to give more support for the fingers on the clutch lever.

Pedrosa struggled in the day's first practice session, though, finishing 19th and last, more than three seconds slower than pace-setter Casey Stoner.