Dani Pedrosa of Spain has been a star of MotoGP for over a decade, finishing second in the championship standings three times and winning races every year between 2006 and 2017, with a total of 31 victories. He was also the youngest World Champion in history in 250cc GP, winning twice in that category, as well as in 125cc. In July, Pedrosa announced his retirement from MotoGP for the end of this season.
However, his interest in two wheels extends beyond motorized bikes. At the beginning of this year, he spent time training at the UCI World Cycling Centre in Aigle, Switzerland, and he recently announced plans to participate in a major mountain bike event: the Grand Raid, in Switzerland, on August 18th. Pedrosa will take part in the 68 kilometre event between Hérémence and Grimentz, including climbing the intimidating 2787m Pas de Lona.
[TWITTER ID="https://twitter.com/26_DaniPedrosa/status/824626038294532096"]
While attending the Giro d'Italia earlier this year, Dani Pedrosa spoke about his life-long interest in cycling. "Since I was little I like to ride my bike. My father introduced me, and I have loved road cycling ever since. I ride a lot in my training (for MotoGP); because it is a good way to work on my cardio. With my friends we have done some big rides in the Alps and in the Pyrenees."
Pedrosa says he also has plans to tackle some of the big Italian climbs in the Dolomites.