Pedrosa: Lorenzo should have used tactics at Motegi

Dani Pedrosa wasn't delighted to be on the receiving end of some harsh passes by Jorge Lorenzo at Valencia, but understood the title contender's 'go-slow' tactics - and says he should have done the same at the previous Motegi round as well.

Lorenzo needed to win Sunday's season finale with Pedrosa's title leading Repsol Honda team-mate Marc Marquez outside the top four.

As a result Lorenzo held up the field as much as possible, with Pedrosa initially heading a seven rider queue behind the #99 Yamaha.

But knowing that he couldn't afford to lose the race, reigning double champion Lorenzo brutally retaliated whenever Pedrosa made a pass for the lead. Contact was made on several occasions, with Lorenzo bumping Pedrosa wide on lap 10 of 30.

"Already from the first lap I thought I can go in front and try to be faster than Jorge, but every time he was ready to fight back," said Pedrosa. "When I tried to pass him a couple of times I opened the door a little and he always quickly got back in font.

"I tried to change my places for overtaking, so he couldn't fight back, but he pushed me on the side a little a couple of times. The last time he really touched me hard. I went completely out of the track and almost crashed trying to get back [pictured]."

That incident, which Race Direction felt was strong enough for investigation, saw Pedrosa drop to fifth place before working his way back to second ahead of Marquez.

"Obviously Jorge's strategy was clear and I understand. I was trying to go in front and he was fighting real strong. It was a good battle. I had a couple of touches from behind and had to pick up the bike. I had no other option."

Nevertheless, Pedrosa stated: "I think this strategy from [Lorenzo] was good, but he should have already been thinking like this in Motegi."

Lorenzo had won the penultimate round in Japan, with Marquez second and Pedrosa third.

Marquez claimed the title by just four points.