Pedrosa to return for Valencia season-ender

[November 08, 2016]    (Reuters) - Spaniard Dani Pedrosa plans to race in MotoGP's Valencia season-ender this weekend, a month after the Honda rider fractured his collarbone, leg and foot in a crash in Japan.

Honda MotoGP rider Dani Pedrosa of Spain looks back as he rides his bike during the second qualifying session ahead of the Valencia Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste, near Valencia, Spain, November 6, 2015. REUTERS/Heino Kalis

Honda said in a statement on Monday that as the injuries were healing well, Pedrosa's doctors and team had agreed that he could return for the final round.

"These past three weeks haven't been easy because of the pain, especially immediately after the operation, and also because I missed racing at some of my favorite tracks," Pedrosa said.

"After I started with my rehab, things began getting better day-by-day and the thought of trying to recover in time for Valencia was a boost that helped during the tougher moments," added the rider.

"We’re still not sure about how I’ll feel on the bike, but anyway I’m happy to be able to get back to racing."

Pedrosa has won six times at Valencia, three of those victories in the MotoGP category.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Ken Ferris)

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