'New role' for Pedrosa's manager Alberto Puig

"I feel that he has already given me so much that now it is time to change our relationship slightly" - Dani Pedrosa.

03 Dec 2013

Pedrosa and puig, Italian MotoGP race, 2013
© Gold and Goose

Dani Pedrosa's manager Alberto Puig, present at the Repsol Honda team since Pedrosa's 2006 MotoGP debut, will not attend the 2014 events.

Pedrosa has won 25 MotoGP races, making him by far the most successful rider not to claim a premier-class title. The 28-year-old finished third in this year's championship behind rookie team-mate Marc Marquez and Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo.

"After many years working together on track with Alberto, next season he will not be by my side in the garage," said Pedrosa.

"He will be taking care of new projects and I feel that he has already given me so much that now it is time to change our relationship slightly.

"Anyway, I know that Alberto will be there for me if I need something, and this is the most important thing."

Former racer Puig is to undertake a new role as a supervisor for several of HRC's activities including the Asia Talent Cup and recruitment and management of young riders.

"This is an exciting new challenge for me with HRC and i am very grateful for the opportunity," said Puig. "Initially I will focus on the new Asian Cup but then as my role grows and I will assist with young riders and I will do my best to help HRC as much as possible.

"Regarding Dani, I hope he can fulfil his dream, and looking back over these years I can only be proud of what is left behind with all the titles in the 125cc and 250cc class and all the MotoGP victories."

Best known for his partnership with Pedrosa - including some public clashes with Pedrosa's former team-mate Nicky Hayden, fellow Spanish rival Lorenzo and 1993 champion Kevin Schwantz - Puig also played a pivotal role in the early careers of riders such as double MotoGP champion Casey Stoner and Moto2 champion Toni Elias.

HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto stated: "We are very happy to increase Alberto's role in HRC and make use of his extensive knowledge in this World. He is a valuable asset to Honda Racing and we must utilise him and benefit from his wealth of experience. He is a respected member of the MotoGP paddock and I believe this will be good new challenge for him."

The rest of Pedrosa's side of the Repsol Honda team will remain unchanged. However Marquez will have more of his Moto2 mechanics joining him for 2014, while Yamaha's Valentino Rossi has split from long time crew chief Jerry Burgess.