Having won three titles in a row (125, 250 and then 250cc) Pedrosa remained with Honda and moved into MotoGP for 2006. He started the season strongly, taking second place in his first race and his first win at Shanghai. A low came from Pedrosa when, with an outside chance of the title, he crashed into his team mate, Nicky Hayden, at Estoril. Hayden had been leading the Championship and the crash meant that he was overtaken by Rossi, on the Yamaha, with one round remaining. Under intense scrutiny, Pedrosa vowed to help Hayden win the Championship. As it transpired Rossi crashed during the final race and Hayden was able to comfortably take the title, relieving the pressure on the Spaniard.
For 2007 Pedrosa was again teamed with Nicky Hayden in the Repsol Honda garage on the new capacity 800cc MotoGP machines. On the smaller machines Pedrosa was deemed one of the favourites before the start of the season but, in truth, the Honda never really delivered. The Spaniard was able to snatch second position from Rossi at the final round by taking the win but, along with everyone else, he played second fiddle to an utterly dominant Casey Stoner on the Ducati.
2008 would again see Pedrosa lining up on the Honda together with deposed Champion, and team mate, Nicky Hayden. It was a season of ups and downs. By Assen, round nine of the Championship, he had been on the podium in all but one of the races and he lead the title race by four points from Rossi. The next round, at the Sachsenring, was a turning point. On a wet track Pedrosa flew into the lead from the start and by the end of the first lap had amassed a stunning two second lead. Rather than hold the position he continued to pull away at the front and within six laps he had a seven second lead. Unfortunately for the tiny Spaniard he was obviously pushing too hard and he lost the front of his Honda, crashing heavily into the gravel. The subsequent injuries meant that he scored no meaningful points until Misano, three races later. By that time he had dropped to third in the title race and with Rossi starting a run of six victories in seven races the Championship was out of sight.
Eyebrows were raised when Pedrosa switched from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres mid-season but he was able to adapt to the change very well.
2009 sees Pedrosa remain at Repsol Honda and be joined by Dovizioso, replacing the departed Nicky Hayden.
Career Highlights
2008: 3rd place - MotoGP World Championship
2007: 2nd place - MotoGP World Championship
2006: 5th place - MotoGP World Championship
2005: 1st place - 250cc Grand Prix World Championship
2004: 1st place - 250cc Grand Prix World Championship
2003: 1st place - 125cc Grand Prix World Championship
2002: 3rd place - 125cc Grand Prix World Championship
2001: 8th place - 125cc Grand Prix World Championship
2000: 4th place - 125cc Grand Prix Spanish Championship
1999: 8th place - MoviStar Activa Joven Honda Cup
1998: 1st place - Spanish Pocket Bike Championship
1997: 3rd place - Spanish Pocket Bike Championship
1996: 2nd place - Spanish Pocket Bike Championship