Repsol Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden rode a brave race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this afternoon, leading in treacherously wet and windy conditions and finally finishing second. This was Hayden’s first top-three result of the year and he walked to the podium using a walking stick, still suffering from the broken right heel he sustained six weeks ago.
Nicky Hayden and his RC212V took the lead on lap two from Andrea Dovizioso and then enjoyed a tense duel with Valentino Rossi, who slipped ahead at half distance. For much of the race the pair were comfortably the fastest two riders on the track, then shortly after half-distance conditions deteriorated. The remnants of Hurricane Ike had been battering the circuit since lunch time, when heavy rain and winds hit the Indiana venue, forcing Race Direction to postpone the 250 race. As the wind and rain increased during the second half of the MotoGP race a massive section of trackside signage came adrift, forcing the race to be red flagged. Race Direction briefly considered restarting the race but finally the result was called.
Nicky Hayden, finished 2nd, 8th in World Championship Click here to read more
1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B)
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M)
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M)
4. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B)
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M)
6. Ben Spies USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B)
7. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B)
8. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (B) Click here to read more
Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden was in storming form during this afternoon’s sun-blessed Indianapolis qualifying session, battling for pole position and finally ending up fourth fastest to lead the second row, just 0.094 seconds off the front row.
Following yesterday’s all-day downpour, the sun shone at Indy today, though the wind got up as the day went on, heralding the arrival of Hurricane Ike, which is due to reach Indy tomorrow. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are predicted for much of the day.
This morning’s session starting out on a damp track, but this afternoon’s outing was all dry. Hayden set the pace in the early stages, entertaining the crowd with some smokin’ exits from turn 13. Working with his crew he got his RC212V handling well around the brand-new Indy MotoGP track. Hayden is still riding in some pain from the broken right heel he suffered six weeks ago.
The Kentucky Kid is wearing a special home-race helmet here, celebrating his lifelong support for the Indianapolis Colts football team.
Nicky Hayden, 4th fastest, 1′41.271 Click here to read more
1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1′40.776
2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1′40.860
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1′41.177
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1′41.271
5. Ben Spies USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1′41.464
6. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1′41.492
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1′41.744
8. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (B) 1′41.754 Click here to read more
Relentless rain dominated proceedings at Indy today, with Repsol Honda RC212V rider Nicky Hayden ending the first two sessions eighth fastest.
The rain is perhaps something of a blessing in disguise for the Kentucky Kid, who is riding with a foot injury. The low-grip conditions reduce the amount of physical input riders need to put into the bike through the handlebars and footrests. Hayden is still getting around on crutches to protect the still-healing right heel he broke during a Supermotard ride on August 1.
Riders were allowed an extra 30 minutes this morning to learn their way around the new Indy MotoGP track, Hayden working throughout the day with his crew and his Michelin technicians to get maximum grip around the patchy circuit. The rain got heavier this afternoon, so lap times were mostly slower. During the final ten minutes the downpour increased to the extent that deep puddles were forming around the track, causing aquaplaning.
Nicky Hayden, 8th fastest, 1m 53.931s Click here to read more
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