Valentino Rossi expects more from Dani Pedrosa

Valentino Rossi has said he expects plenty more from Honda rival Dani Pedrosa in the final four races after the Spaniard’s low-key Bridgestone debut in Indianapolis.

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Pedrosa’s much-hyped Bridgestone debut following his controversial split from Michelin at the end of last month saw him finish in a disappointing eighth place in the weather-hit Indy clash.

But Fiat Yamaha rider Rossi, who is likely to wrap up his sixth premier class world title in next weekend’s Japanese GP at the Twin Ring Motegi, reckons Pedrosa could emerge as his biggest rival in the closing stages of the season.

”I needed time to fix our setting with Bridgestone because we had to change a lot. But Pedrosa was already very fast in Misano on Monday at the test. We have to wait.

“I am quite worried about Pedrosa on Bridgestone. He has some pressure on him and he needs to win with them but for me he has a good potential, so maybe he will be strong in the last few races, “said the 29-year-old, who broke Giacomo Agostini’s MotoGP winning record by claiming his 69th victory in the inaugural Indianapolis clash.