Pedrosa reaches Mont Blanc summit
Added on Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Pedrosa reaches Mont Blanc summit
MotoGP star Dani Pedrosa and 250cc rider Hector Barbera have successfully made it to the summit of Mont Blanc; the highest peak in Western Europe.
The pair were part of a 74-man group who set out to reach the summit, with only 19 overcoming treacherous conditions in the four and a half hour climb and with the pair, plus Dakar rider Marc Coma, the only three non-mountaineering experts to reach the summit.
“This was an experience that I was really looking forward to, from the very moment that Jesús [Calleja, group leader] put it to me, and the truth is that it went really well,” said Pedrosa.
“We were part of a very experienced group and we were totally protected from any type of risk, and the truth is that we had everything put on a plate for us. We just had to put one foot in front of the other, and the great atmosphere between us meant we had a great time.
“The weather was quite bad; we got very cold up there, but the hard times were more than compensated by the laughs we had all the time. The atmosphere was incredible and the communication was very good.
“Even with the bad weather the expedition was a success and I am pleased because we did not have any problems. This was very good for me in particular because the physical side of things will make me fitter.
“Spending a few days at high altitude has helped me a lot, I got used to the conditions and it has been a great experience, with a great atmosphere among the expedition.”
The team are due to arrive back at the mountain refuge in Chamonix tonight, travelling home tomorrow.
