Pedrosa hopes to compete in Qatar

Qatar MotoGP, Doha
Date: 11-12 April
Saturday 11 April: Qualifying: BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website - 1950-2300 BST Sunday 12 April: Preview -BBC2 1300-1330 BST; 125cc and 250cc races - BBC Red Button and BBC Sport website 1750-2005 BST; MotoGP race - BBC Three and BBC Sport website, 2045-2200 BST

Injuries have hit Pedrosa's pre-season for the second year running

Dani Pedrosa says he is hopeful he will be able to compete in the opening race of the 2009 MotoGP championship despite his recent injury problems.

The season begins in Qatar on Sunday, and the Repsol Honda rider said he felt he had recovered sufficiently from arm and knee surgery in March to start.

"My recovery has been better than we expected which means I have the chance to make the first race," he said.

"We have some catching up to do but my team hasn't been standing still."

606: DEBATE

Doesn't look like a good start to the year for him though and is sadly typical - a great talent prone to bad crashes.

Gary M

The Spaniard underwent two operations on his left knee and arm, involving a skin graft, after crashing in testing, causing major disruption to his pre-season build-up for the second year running.

Last year the former world championship runner-up needed a titanium plate inserted into his hand after crashing in Malaysia, and he also underwent knee surgery at the end of 2008.