PEDROSA TOUCHES THE SKY IN AUSTRALIA

Dani the youngest ever double World Champion after clinching 250cc title

Daniel Pedrosa made history at the Australian Grand Prix today, clinching the 250cc World Championship title in his first season in the class. It is the Telefónica MoviStar rider’s second consecutive World Championship and it comes precisely one year after breaking both his ankles at Phillip Island, the scene of his latest glory. In just eight months Dani has completed the impossible, coming through a painful recovery period, adapting to the 250cc Honda and completely dominating the category to win the title with a race to spare.

On the 12th October 2003 at Sepang,  Dani wrote his name into the history books as the youngest Spanish rider ever to win a World Championship, at the age of 18 years and 16 days. He was also the second youngest World Champion of any nationality in the 54-year history of the sport, behind Loris Capirossi, in just his third season at the highest level.

The youngest 250cc World Champion and youngest double title winner ever

This season, once again hand in hand with Alberto Puig and Telefónica MoviStar, Dani Pedrosa’s feat has been even more impressive. At the age of just 19 years and 18 days he is the youngest ever 250cc World Champion and the youngest rider ever to win two titles. In the first case he overtakes Marco Melandri, who lifted the 250cc crown at the age of 20 years, 2 months and 3 days; whilst in the second he replaces Valentino Rossi, who added the 250cc title to his 125cc success at the age of 20 years, 8 months and 8 days.

Coronation in his rookie season

With one Grand Prix still remaining, Dani Pedrosa has ended a fifteen year dry spell for Spanish riders in the 250cc World Championship, taking over from Sito Pons (1989, Honda). The MoviStar rider has managed it in his first season in the class and on the back of four months out of action recovering from two broken ankles, sustained at the Australian Grand Prix last year. Pedrosa’s consistency this season is unrivalled:12 podiums including 6 victories, 5 second places and 1 third, as well as 3 poles and 7 fastest laps.

KEY FACTS

-         2003: 125cc World Champion. (Malaysia):

* Youngest ever World Champion in Spanish motorcycling history and second youngest of all-time at 18 years and 16 days.

-         2004: 250cc World Champion (Australia):

* Youngest ever 250cc World Champion at 19 years and 18 days.

* Youngest ever double World Champion.

* Youngest ever winner of a 250cc Grand Prix (South Africa)

* Youngest ever winner of a Grand Prix in two different classes (South Africa)

* Victory in South Africa also made him the first 125cc World Champion to win the opening race of a 250cc season since Bill Ivy in 1968.

* First rider to win the 125cc and 250cc titles in consecutive seasons since Carlo Ubbiali 1960, some 44 years ago.