Photo: MotoGP.com
MotoGP champion back in 2006, American Nicky Hayden talks about his team, Ducati, the Circuit of the Americas, the rookie sensation Marc Marquez and the future of American riders. He was present in a teleconference held by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the venue of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, August 16-18, 2013.
A Ducati rider, Hayden was deprived of all the glory, just like other MotoGP stars to have ridden for the Borgo Panigale team: obviously, we're thinking about Valentino Rossi. Ducati's last title was in 2007, with Casey Stoner - since then only bitterness reigned supreme in the red paddocks.
Now, all the four Ducati machines in MotoGP are the same, with common efforts from all the mechanics and engineers trying to synthesize the best options form the huge amounts of data the 4 riders provide. Hayden strongly believes this recipe will provide viable solutions in the end, especially as the Ducati Corse team is now under new management, Bernard Gobmeier (ex-BMW) replacing Filippo Preziosi.
Speaking about the rivals, Hayden mentions Marquez: “Well, it is impressive. You don’t need me to tell you that. I don’t think anybody doubted that he was going to be fast after what we saw in 125 and Moto2. When you’re fast, you’re fast. I would say to be quite this quick – and so consistently quick – this early…"
While understanding that Ducati could not afford the tests at the Circuit of the Americas, Nicky Hayden stresses ow sorry he was for not being able to ride at the COTA: “I love going to new tracks for the first time. I was flying home from Germany and had a four-hour layover in Chicago, so I was killing time and reading up on what the guys had to say about the track. It was frustrating. Obviously I hated not being there and I hated giving those guys a big head-start.”
Finally, Hayden emphasizes the huge difference between the way people see racing in Europe and the US. With some of the top MotoGP riders being Spanish, it was only natural to analyze the way things are in the country.
The big difference? Starting early! While Spain has schools and academies which prepare and train the kids for real-life racing on real bikes, the US has different age limits and this gives Europe a huge advantage. Having kids involved in high-performance racing earlier is a key element for raising a new generation of talented riders, Hayden adds.
Hayden and Ben Spies are currently at the COTA, attending the launch of the 1199 Panigale R, and it's during this event the two Ducati riders will get to see the COTA track for the first time.
Now, all the four Ducati machines in MotoGP are the same, with common efforts from all the mechanics and engineers trying to synthesize the best options form the huge amounts of data the 4 riders provide. Hayden strongly believes this recipe will provide viable solutions in the end, especially as the Ducati Corse team is now under new management, Bernard Gobmeier (ex-BMW) replacing Filippo Preziosi.
Speaking about the rivals, Hayden mentions Marquez: “Well, it is impressive. You don’t need me to tell you that. I don’t think anybody doubted that he was going to be fast after what we saw in 125 and Moto2. When you’re fast, you’re fast. I would say to be quite this quick – and so consistently quick – this early…"
While understanding that Ducati could not afford the tests at the Circuit of the Americas, Nicky Hayden stresses ow sorry he was for not being able to ride at the COTA: “I love going to new tracks for the first time. I was flying home from Germany and had a four-hour layover in Chicago, so I was killing time and reading up on what the guys had to say about the track. It was frustrating. Obviously I hated not being there and I hated giving those guys a big head-start.”
Finally, Hayden emphasizes the huge difference between the way people see racing in Europe and the US. With some of the top MotoGP riders being Spanish, it was only natural to analyze the way things are in the country.
The big difference? Starting early! While Spain has schools and academies which prepare and train the kids for real-life racing on real bikes, the US has different age limits and this gives Europe a huge advantage. Having kids involved in high-performance racing earlier is a key element for raising a new generation of talented riders, Hayden adds.
Hayden and Ben Spies are currently at the COTA, attending the launch of the 1199 Panigale R, and it's during this event the two Ducati riders will get to see the COTA track for the first time.
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