'No regrets' for fallen contender Pedrosa

Dani Pedrosa felt sadness rather than disappointment after seeing his MotoGP title dream disappear in a fall from the lead at Phillip Island on Sunday.

The Repsol Honda star needed to beat fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo to at least take the title down to the final round, but lost the front of his RCV at the hairpin on lap two.

That meant Yamaha rider Lorenzo required just three points to clinch the championship, which he easily achieved with a distant second place behind Pedrosa's team-mate Casey Stoner.

"It's a sad feeling more than disappointment; I pushed as hard as I could; I did what I had to do and I have no regrets for my riding, especially this season," said Pedrosa, who has produced his best ever MotoGP season with six wins.

"I feel very proud of my team and of my performance throughout the year. I think after what happened in Misano, we showed a very good attitude, skill and power.

"So, there is some sadness because we've been closer than ever to take the title, but also proud for all we achieved.

"Concerning the crash, it was nothing strange; I just went wider on the corner, I had some chatter and lost the front; maybe the tyre was not warm enough as well, but it's like it is.

"Congratulations to Casey for his sixth win at his home grand prix and to Lorenzo because he deserved the championship, as well as Marc M?rquez in Moto2".

Pedrosa, a triple world champion in the junior classes, has now finished as MotoGP title runner-up three times - 2007, 2010 and 2012.