Pedrosa new motogp speed record holder

**DEATH_INC.** · 7th June 2009, 09:06

Checked an couldn't find this, so I hope it ain't a repost.... (stolen from motogp.com)

It probably comes as little consolation to Dani Pedrosa after his abject Gran Premio d’Italia Alice weekend, but on the Mugello straight the Spaniard became officially the fastest rider ever on a MotoGP bike.

The Repsol Honda rider was clocked in the speed trap at a phenomenal 349.288kph, a top speed some 6kph quicker than the previous record for a Grand Prix round, held by Makoto Tamada on a 990cc Honda at the Shanghai circuit back in 2006. There had initially been doubt over the accuracy of the speed measurement, but Pedrosa’s achievement was quickly confirmed ahead of the MotoGP race. Loris Capirossi had been the unofficial record holder for his 347.4kph straight line speed at the 2004 Official Test at the Circuit de Catalunya.

The highest top speed at the Mugello circuit before last weekend was 342.966kph, recorded by Alex Barros in 2004.

**YellowDog** · 7th June 2009, 09:19

WOW - I had no idea that sort of speed was possible on a race bike.

I thought it was only the super power drag bikes (which are not in my opinion bikes) that could do such high speeds.

**Kiwi Graham:Me** · 7th June 2009, 09:27

I love the way the governing bods make rule changes to slow things down eh!

**Manxman** · 8th June 2009, 22:27

Originally Posted by YellowDog

WOW - I had no idea that sort of speed was possible on a race bike.

I thought it was only the super power drag bikes (which are not in my opinion bikes) that could do such high speeds.

Yeah. Bruce Anstey only managed 329kmh (206mph) at the TT a coupla years ago. Slow really.

Seriously though, how the feck do you hang on at that speed?????