Repsol Honda’s Dani Pedrosa is in a damage limitation situation at Austin’s MotoGP round as the wrist he broke in a Johann Zarco-initated crash at Termas is causing him a lot of pain.

The little Spaniard is trying to keep the swelling around the injured joint under control but was visibly hurting and taking time out on track during both of yesterday’s free practice sessions. He underwent surgery just 13 days ago and is really struggling to get the RC213V stopped on the back straight.

“It was a tough two sessions today, especially this afternoon because I put the maximum effort. In the morning I was having pain, but I tried just to feel how I can do on the bike, but I can see my pace was not so good,” said Pedrosa, speaking at the track.

I tried to put myself in a better position and I am very pleased with the outcome. But still suffering a lot of pain.

“I’m happy for today because we could do a little bit better pace than I expect, and this is very positive. I would say if I was riding like this morning, maybe there’s no meaning to suffer because you are outside the points anyway.

“That’s why we tried the maximum to see if we can handle a little bit better pace, to have some meaning, to try to race and get some points.”