Hayden: “It’s been a pleasure to come back”

‘Kentucky Kid’ assesses Phillip Island as he bids MotoGP™ adieu once again

Nicky Hayden (Repsol Honda Team) had an impressive weekend back in the saddle of the Repsol Honda with which he was crowned champion in 2006, after also appearing in MotoGP™ at MotorLand Aragon replacing injured Jack Miller (Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS). There, Hayden scored points, setting the bar high for another return. Despite having decided there would be no more MotoGP™ and no more Suzuka 8H after MotorLand, the American then couldn’t resist the offer of the Repsol Honda for the weekend at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, and headed to Australia to replace injured Dani Pedrosa.

The ‘Kentucky Kid’ was a constant presence in the top ten and qualified seventh on the grid – as well as topping a washed-out FP4 session in a weekend characterized by tough conditions. Holding his own in the battle for seventh in the race with a good group of riders, the MotoGP™ Legend then clashed with EG,00 Marc VDS rider Jack Miller at the Honda hairpin – and slid out of contention. Although eventually classified P17, Hayden is happy he headed over to the Island – and now it’s destination: Qatar for the final round of WorldSBK next weekend.

Nicky Hayden (P17): "It’s been a very challenging weekend with so many changes of conditions but finally we at least got a few laps in the dry in the warm-up. At the beginning of the race it was a little bit tough to get my rhythm but as it went on I started feeling better and better. I was in a group fighting for seventh position and I was quite enjoying the battle. Everybody was going back and forth and I felt good. I felt like I had the best tyres left in that group and that I could win that battle… but then in the Honda hairpin, Jack knocked me down. That’s racing. I didn’t actually see him, I just felt him when it was too late to do anything. But that’s racing, especially in a group like that, where it makes a big difference winning the battle and getting seventh or losing it and finishing out the top 10. After qualifying seventh on the grid and having not ridden the bike until Friday morning, seventh place would’ve been a very respectable result. Nonetheless, I’ve enjoyed the weekend; it’s been a pleasure to come back on the Repsol Honda Team and ride this bike again. It was awesome and I feel I did a decent job. I just would’ve liked to finish it off with a good result.”