For two of the Repsol Honda riders, Le Mans was a fantastic weekend. Casey Stoner took his second victory of the season, and Andrea Dovizioso earned his best finish yet in 2011. But Dani Pedrosa leaves the French Circuit with another injury.
Pedrosa, who was just recovering from surgery, broke his collarbone today after a crash involving Marco Simoncelli. Simoncelli made contact with Pedrosa as he was trying to pass, and forced the Repsol Honda rider to the pavement. Pedrosa would end up breaking his collarbone, while Simoncelli would be given a drive through penalty before claiming fifth place.
"I was having a good race. The goal was to ensure another podium and I had it in my grasp. But now it counts for nothing," Pedrosa said. "Simoncelli overtook me, I passed him back, and I had the better line. He just came into me releasing the brakes and I could do nothing. I leave here with a broken collarbone and he with a ride-through penalty, good for him! Yet again I come out worse off. We only just recovered from the nightmare of the last operation and now I'm hurt again. It is very unfair. I don't deserve it."
After the race Simoncelli commented on the incident, and said that he was sorry for Pedrosa's injury. The Italian did say, however, that he doesn't think that he is at fault.
"I am sorry for Dani's crash and especially for his injury," Simoncelli said. "But for me, I did nothing wrong. It was a racing incident."
Simoncelli also said that the drive through penalty given to him by race direction was unfair, and that it kept him from capturing a podium finish.
