Source: Supplied.

Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi says it’s a shame to see Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) retire from the MotoGP World Championship without a premier class title to his name.

Pedrosa has captured three world championships across the 125cc and 250cc categories, however a title in the MotoGP division has eluded the Spaniard, who’s finished runner-up on three occasions.

“It’s a great shame for MotoGP because our sport loses one of the best riders in the last few years,” said Rossi. “And it’s also a shame he never won a World Championship in MotoGP, I think he deserved minimum one. It’s quite early but it’s a personal choice, he thought a lot about it…but it’s a great shame for everyone.”

Pedrosa will round out his career at the conclusion of the 2018 season with 54 grand prix wins currently this his name. Pedrosa is situated 12th in the championship standings ahead of this weekend’s German grand prix, while Rossi is ranked second behind Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez.