Copyright 2003, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Race Classification
MARLBORO MALAYSIAN MOTORCYCLE GP
125cc Grand Prix
19 laps, 105.4 kilometers, 65 miles

1. Daniel PEDROSA, Honda, 43:07.647

2. Mika KALLIO, KTM, -2.658

3. Jorge LORENZO, Derbi, -2.750

4. Thomas LUTHI, Honda, -3.006

5. Masao AZUMA, Honda, -5.032

6. Alex DE ANGELIS, Aprilia, -7.242

7. Mirko GIANSANTI, Aprilia, -9.549

8. Hector BARBERA, Aprilia, -10.908

9. Pablo NIETO, Aprilia, -11.197

10. Roberto LOCATELLI, KTM, -12.874

11. Marco SIMONCELLI, Aprilia, -14.926

12. Stefano BIANCO, Gilera, -15.443

13. Andrea DOVIZIOSO, Honda, -15.576

14. Gabor TALMACSI, Aprilia, -22.889

15. Alvaro BAUTISTA, Aprilia, -24.161


DNF

Lucio CECCHINELLO, Aprilia, -4 laps

Casey STONER, Aprilia, -7 laps

Steve JENKNER, Aprilia, -7 laps

Max SABBATANI, Aprilia, -15 laps

Stefano PERUGINI, Aprilia, -16 laps

Gioele PELLINO, Aprilia, -16 laps



More, from a press release issued by Honda Racing:

Daniel Pedrosa 125cc World Champion

Young Spaniard Daniel Pedrosa is the new 125cc World Champion. The precocious eighteen year-old from Castellar del Valles raced his Telefonica MoviStar to brilliant victory at the Malaysian Grand Prix, at Sepang today to clinch the prestigious world crown with two rounds still remaining in the 16-round series.

Pedrosa is the youngest Spaniard ever to take the title following in the footsteps of former Spanish grand prix giants Angel Nieto, Jorge ‘Aspar’ Martinez, and Alex Criville.

Pedrosa went into the 19-lap (105.412km) race knowing the title would be on its way to Spain if he won the race and closest rival, Stefano Perugini, finished lower than eighth place. Pedrosa is a winner and wanted nothing less than a race victory to put the seal his magnificent season. He did not disappoint. He led from start to finish to take his fifth win of the campaign to take his first world title.

“It was a very hard race. When I woke up his morning I thought the race situation would not be easy for me because it was raining. In the race I got a good start and pushed hard but the track was very slippery but I managed to open a gap on the others and held it. When I finally crossed the finishing line I was very tired. I started crying and I still can’t believe what has happened to me, its fantastic, I have no words to describe it.” Said the new 125cc World Champion.

“Since I was a little boy my ambition was to be a rider, and now I have been proclaimed World Champion. I guess I will need a little time to be able to explain what it’s like to be a World Champion.” Beamed Pedrosa.

“I can only thank everybody who has supported me. Telefonica MoviStar because they gave me the opportunity to be here, to Honda for all the years we have been working together. To my team for the excellent job they have done in teaching me how to work, and to my family for always supporting me. But especially I have to thank Alberto (Puig), because from him I have learned everything. Without all these people I would be sitting at home watching the races on my sofa in front of the television.”

Pedrosa, Telefonica MoviStar Honda and the team manager Alberto Puig, have been synonymous since 1999 when the 14-year-old Pedrosa was selected by Puig to contest the MoviStar Active Joven Cup series. The bold innovative series he launched, which was supported by MoviStar and Honda, to discover and develop talented young riders from raw novices to grand prix riders.

Pedrosa’s career took off when he entered the 1997 Spanish Pocket Bike Championship, aged 11. He finished third in his debut season and went on to win the championship a year later. But the youngster did not have the funds necessary to continue his career and his meeting with Puig was a Godsend to the youngster.

Puig took Pedrosa under his wing providing his young charge with the means that allowed him to fulfil his true potential. Pedrosa finished eighth in the Joven Cup and followed that with fourth place in the 125cc Spanish Championship, starting four races from pole position, proving he had the speed if not consistency.

The shy 15-year old arrived on the grand prix scene in 2001 his hard charging style immediately attracting attention. It came as no surprise when he finished the season in eighth place claiming two podium places in the last four races of the season. Under the guidance of Puig Pedrosa had added consistency to his fast growing range of talents.

He confirmed his credentials in 2002 with three race victories, the first at no less a venue than motorcycle racings most difficult race track the 6.027km Assen circuit in Holland, know to all riders as the ‘Cathedral’ of motorcycle racing. Pedrosa ended the season with third place in the championship and went into 2003 as the favourite of many to lift the world crown.

The 17-year old went to the line for the first GP of the year with his apprenticeship completed. He was ready to race, determined to make the 2003 season his and repay the faith shown in him by Puig, Telefonica MoviStar and Honda.

Shy to a degree Pedrosa’s choirboy looks hide a steely determination. In his short career Pedrosa has mastered the intricacies of 125cc two-stroke machine set up, learned how to nurse home an ailing machine and developed a race craft that belies his tender age.

Pedrosa lay the foundations of his title win in the first half off the season dominating the 125cc field in superb style, scoring three victories and a second place along the way. At mid-season point he faltered slightly, but his race craft saw him through a difficult time. The Telefonica MoviStar Honda team regrouped and struck back with a fine victory at the Czech GP, at Brno in August and the title was again Pedrosa’s to lose.

Two fourth places, at Estoril and Rio were followed by a brilliant ride at Motegi when, after leading the race by almost 10 seconds, a steering damper problem forced him to nurse the Honda home to sixth place and set up the title winning ride at Sepang today.

Pedrosa has earned the respect of all who have watched his career develop and all expect him to flourish in 250cc championship he is scheduled to contest in 2004.

An emotional Puig, team manager and mentor to Pedrosa said: “You have no idea how happy I am with this championship title. We started this project together five years ago, with Dani, MoviStar and Honda and today we are World Champions. When I was forced to stop racing through injury I swore I would help a young rider to win a world title and we have reached our goals.

“I truly believed in Dani from the very beginning and we have watched him grow to be a champion, it’s just a perfect day. He’s a real World Champion – he won it from the front, he’s a real winner. We have to thank Honda for all the support they have given us, and of course Telefonica MoviStar. I am very proud of this team and what they have done.” Added Puig.

Puig went on to say. ” We are going to move up to the 250cc class next season and we will approach 250 racing as we did the 125 class. We will need time to adjust in the first year. After that we hope to be in a really good position, able to fight for the championship ”

Daniel Pedrosa.

Date of birth : 29.9.1985.

Birthplace : Castellar del Valles – Spain

First race : 1997 Pocket bike racing.

Grand Prix debut : 2001

First Grand Prix podium : Valencia 2001.

First Grand Prix win : Assen 2002.

Total podium places : 20

Total wins : 8

World titles : 1. 2003 on a 125cc RS125W Honda.


Career Highlights – Daniel Pedrosa

1997 : 3rd Spanish Championship Pocket Bikes

1998 : Spanish Pocket Bike Champion

1999 : 8th MoviStar Activa Joven Cup

2000 : 4th 125cc Spanish Championship

2001 : 8th 125cc World Championship

2002 : 3rd 125cc World Championship – 3 victories

2003 : 125c World Champion – 5 victories



More, from another press release issued by Honda Racing:

Spanish teenager Daniel Pedrosa (Telefonica Movistar Junior Team RS125R) secured his first ever World Championship with a win here at Sepang. His main title rival Stefano Perugini (Aprilia) dropped out of the race on lap four and that eased the pressure on the 18-year-old.

Mika Kallio (KTM) was second and the young Finn has now given the Austrian factory its first podium finish in its debut year of competition. Jorge Lorenzo (Derbi) was third after a compelling dice with Masao Azuma (Ajo Motorsports Honda RS125R), Thomas Luthi (Elit Grand Prix Honda RS125R) and Alex de Angelis (Aprilia).

Australian Aprilia rider Casey Stoner was also in the hunt after getting a poor start from the front row of the grid. He lay 12th in the opening laps, but clawed his way back to second setting fastest lap of the race on lap 12 before crashing a lap later.

But Pedrosa was totally in control from the off. He led into turn one on the opening lap and worked his advantage remorselessly. Two laps from the end he held a seven second lead over his pursuers who had little hope of catching him, so engrossed were they in their own fight for the podium positions.

“I don’t really have any words to describe how I feel,” said an emotional Pedrosa. “I just want to thank everyone who helped me towards this, everyone who gave their maximum to achieve this Championship: the Movistar Team, Honda, Alberto Puig and all the people in the team.”

There are still the remaining World Championship positions to be disputed and with Pedrosa home clear with an unassailable 223 points, the rest of thetable shows Perugini on 159, de Angelis with 157 and Andrea Dovisioso (Team Scot Honda RS125R), who finished 13th here, with 149.

HONDA TEAM QUOTES:

125cc:

Dani Pedrosa, Telefonica MoviStar Honda Jnr Team, 1st: “It was a very hard race. When I woke up his morning I thought the race situation would not be easy for me because it was raining. In the race I got a good start and pushed hard but the track was very slippery but I managed to open a gap on the others and held it. When I finally crossed the finishing line I was very tired. I started crying and I still can’t believe what has happened to me, its fantastic, I have no words to describe it.”

Thomas Luthi, Elit Honda, 4th: “The start was perfect I was third, or fourth at the first corner but I braked too early and a few riders got passed me. That left me fighting hard in the group behind the leaders. My rhythm was not good early on but when I found it I got faster and faster then caught Kallio and Lorenzo after about eight laps. But it was hard work in the temperature and high humid conditions. I have to thank my team for this result the bike was perfect today, engine, suspension and tyres. I hope I can have many more races like that one.”

Masao Azuma, Ajo Motorsports Honda, 5th: “I’m satisfied with the way the race went for me today. My gearing was a little short today. I was not sure if it would rain or not and geared the bike for acceleration off the corners. That meant I was low on top speed and had to leave my braking very late. We got the best result possible today and I’m in good shape for Phillip Island.”

Andrea Dovizioso, Scot Honda, 13th: “I’m really disappointed with today’s race. The rear end started sliding after only four – five laps. I just don’t understand it at all, we ran the same tyre as in qualifying and changed nothing on the bike. We have to work it out before Phillip Island.”