Pedrosa ready for 'special' farewell as Marquez celebrates title
Dani Pedrosa will bid a "special" farewell to professional motorcycling this weekend at the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix, while his Honda team-mate Marc Marquez celebrates a fifth top-class title. The 33-year-old Pedrosa, a winner of 31 MotoGP races, has finished in the top three of the riders' standings six times since stepping up to the top class with Honda in 2006. But he has lost his form this year and is down in 11th spot, 215 points behind Marquez, and will retire as one of the best riders to never claim the MotoGP crown. "The next race in Valencia will be a bit special, as it will be my final race, so the feeling will be different than usual," said Pedrosa. "It's also going to be busy, because many of my people, friends and family will come there wishing to spend time together." Pedrosa, a three-time world champion in the lower classes, has failed to even post a podium finish in 2018, but remains confident that he can bow out on a high at a track where he has won three times in the past, including last season. "When I climb on my bike, my entire focus will be on riding," he insisted. "I like the track as it's one of my favourites on the calendar, and of course I'll try and get the best result possible on Sunday." Marquez has been utterly dominant again en route to a seventh world title in total, winning nine races to move 101 points clear of second-placed Andrea Dovizioso in the standings. The 25-year-old has time on his side as he looks to close in on Giacomo Agostini's all-time record of eight titles in the 500cc category, and is now just two adrift of Italian veteran Valentino Rossi. Marquez clinched the title in Valencia last year when Dovizioso crashed out, and is hoping to claim his fifth victory in six races. "I don't want to lose the momentum or the way I'm riding at the moment," he said. "I'll try and focus like always for the entire weekend, and to fight for the win on Sunday." - Rossi already eyeing 2019 - Rossi is turning 40 in February, but the Yamaha man still has his eyes firmly fixed on mounting a bid for his 10th world crown next season, although he faces a fight on Sunday to hold onto third this term from team-mate Maverick Vinales. Although Rossi has not won the title since 2009, he is showing no signs of imminently following Pedrosa out of the paddock. "We would like to finish the season with a positive result," he said. "Then there will be tests in Valencia and those in Jerez. It will be very intense."
