Watching Dani Pedrosa’s impressive victory performance at the 2009 Laguna Seca USGP reminded MotoGP fans the pint-sized Spaniard is one of the top riders in the Grand Prix paddock.

Yet, the Honda rider’s GP fortunes have fluctuated throughout his four-year career. Certainly, Pedrosa’s MotoGP results haven’t lived up to the expectations placed upon him after vaulting from consecutive 250GP titles into the big show in 2006. A promising rookie season is perhaps remembered less for finishing fifth-place overall than for punting then teammate, Nicky Hayden, out of the championship points lead on the penultimate round (although Hayden was able to score the title at the Valencia finale). In 2007 Pedrosa was tapped out to dominate as the MotoGP class switched from the 990 to 800cc era. Instead, it was old 250 rival Casey Stoner who stole the ’07 show, Pedrosa settling for second. After 2008, now Rossi is back in control and the fresh young talent in GP is the Doctor’s teammate, Jorge Lorenzo – not to mention Pedrosa’s own teammate, Andrea Dovizioso.

Sitting 59 points adrift of Rossi, Pedrosa’s 2009 title hopes are grim. But Having now quenched a year-long winless GP thirst, the Repsol Honda ace appears back in top form with nine races remaining.