posted Aug 12, 2008

I think the most telling statistic about Hayden's championship year is that Bayliss lead more laps in that year than Hayden did, but Troy only rode one race!

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posted Aug 12, 2008

UndisputedChampion - I agree, he would do well at Ducati. he's not quite got the natural talent like Jorge and (even though I dislike him) Danny. But he would'nt be a world champion if there wasnt some speed and talent in him.

He needs to leave Honda, Danny is out-shining him in every way a move to Ducati would be better for him, and Yes Dovi should replace him, he is dark horse...

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posted Aug 12, 2008

I dont think Dovi is a dark Horse, get him on the factory machine and I think he would out ride Danny.

Hayden will go to Ducati, and if he can handle it might get a few podiums

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posted Aug 12, 2008

Does anyone think that Honda chose the wrong rider to be in the factory team because when Nicky Hayden made his debut

His teammate was Rossi.. daunting enough to learn your trade in the top class of Motorcycling

Honda's other options could have been

Biaggi - but his rivalry with Rossi is well publicised

Kato - 250Cc champion but probably too much pressure was expected for him to be Japan's top class WC but we will never know now

Edwards - World superbike champion and was the best in that class with Bayliss

Hayden's credentials were AMA superbike champion from the same series that bred Schwantz and Rainey plus marketability in USA

I still could not understand why he got the ride instead of Edwards just on that

I think he is definitely not going to be in the factory team next year
but going to Ducati against Stoner is like jumping out of the frying pan at Honda into the fire of Ducati.

Whatever happns he's at a crossroads in his motgp career

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posted Aug 12, 2008

If I read Hayden correctly, he will not mind being in the Ducati fire, he will happily support his team mate if called upon, and he will be on a bike capable of winning the title if he can get the most out of it.

But Melandri seems to be keen to keep the Ducati seat from what I see in the papers, so if he can turn his season around, Hayden will have to find somewhere else.

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posted Aug 13, 2008

Hayden will not be on a factory Ducati as Stoner will still be there for 09 with all signs pointing to Gibernau making his return. Two top riders in Melandri and Hayden will be looking for a seat in a satellite team. This will be a blow for these top riders. Could there be a seat on a Kawasaki?

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posted Aug 13, 2008

Comment by IL_LEONE

"Hayden's credentials were AMA superbike champion from the same series that bred Schwantz and Rainey plus marketability in USA

I still could not understand why he got the ride instead of Edwards just on that "

Marketing, and youth! America is a HUGE market for Honda, so to have a young, cool, AMA Champ jumping into MotoGP to partner the all dominant (at the time) Rossi. Compare this to Edwards, who was much older than Hayden, not sure how many years competitive racing he had in him (though quite a few in hindsight) and he wasn't all that well known in the US having spent so many years plying his trade in WSB which was very much only popular to Europeans!

And though very popular on the European scene for his straight talking attitude, his image certainly wasn't as fresh and new a Hayden's.

Ofcourse, Hayden was quick on a bike and much more suited to the more powerful 990's having developed his trade in AMA, but the new 800's are very much focused on corner speed - much like the 250's, a style which Hayden has never used before. Which is why I think he'd do well on the Ducati, as it still seems the most powerful bike on the grid, but can he get his head around the electronics package on that bike? Could that cripple his abilities like it has done Melandri's, ex-250 World Champ and former MotoGP runner up with several victories under his belt when on the Gresini Honda RC211V 990's.

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posted Aug 13, 2008

i like hayden, but now the 250 boys are in town and with these 800s, its all about corner speed and fast exits out of the corners..the 990's were different, but the 800's have certainly sorted out the men from the boy's and unfortunetly, i thinks he's goona struggle..a return to AMA would be best for nicky.

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posted Aug 13, 2008

it's a good shout, but i dont see him challenging Rossi, Stoner, or Pedrosa even on a ducati...GP riders that have come from 125, and 250 camps are more adapt better to these 800GP machines...Nickys a nice guy, but much better suited to superbikes in my opinion.

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posted Aug 16, 2008

haha

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