Australia MotoGP: Dani Pedrosa frustrated with Honda threat

Dani Pedrosa could not disguise his frustration after the Spaniard was easily beaten by Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi in Phillip Island.
Leader on the first lap after a trademark fast start from third spot on the grid, the Repsol Honda rider quickly succumbed to Stoner and Rossi on lap two.
Powerless to prevent Stoner and Rossi easily pulling away from his factory RC212V, Pedrosa had a lonely ride to third place for only his second career rostrum at Phillip Island.
Pedrosa though lost third spot in the world championship to eventual winner Stoner and he said it was clear that Honda had work to do to close the gap to Ducati and Yamaha.
Pedrosa, who crashed heavily during Saturday’s qualifying session, said: “It is frustrating.
"In the last three races I’ve been on the podium, but always in the same way. I lose a lot of time in the race, so it is not what I really like. But I pushed myself to the maximum and that was it.
"They were much quicker and I couldn’t follow. After the crash yesterday, it is good to be on the podium, but of course it’s not what I like to do every race.”
Pedrosa at least found time to joke about failing to capitalise on his phenomenally fast starts.
He added: “Its a shame that they don’t give points for the holeshot.”
Stoner’s third win of 2009 moved the Aussie six-points clear of Pedrosa in the battle for third place in the championship with just two races remaining.
“Casey is doing a great job,“ said the 23-year-old.
“Since he came back he’s riding superb, so we will try to do our best in the next two races at two tracks that I really like, so I will push myself to maximum and we will try to fight with him.”