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Dani Pedrosa has described last weekend's race at Laguna Seca, where he had never previously raced, as the toughest challenge of his fledgling MotoGP career so far.

The young Spaniard showed admirable determination and know-how beyond his years to take the runner-up spot behind Honda teammate Nicky Hayden, after coming through a tight, tense three-way battle with Casey Stoner and Kenny Roberts.

Having initially squandered his fourth-placed qualifying spot with a mediocre start, Pedrosa was understandably elated with a podium finish from his first sampling of a highly complex track in blistering California heat.

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He said afterwards: "I'm happy with the result, to finish second in my first race at a circuit is good.

"The race was really tough, very hot and it was very demanding for the rider. In terms of conditions, this was the hardest race I've competed in. It was so difficult to ride in a consistent rhythm."

Honda team manager Makoto Tanaka was quick to praise his young protege, who he felt had "a wonderful race", adding that Laguna Seca "not an easy track for a rookie but he made really quick progress".

Pedrosa's win has taken him to second in the overall standings and 34 points behind Hayden and he is now possibly the American's most likely competitor for this year's title, as Valentino Rossi's challenge is continually hampered by problems with his bike.

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