HAYDEN DELIGHTS FANS WITH DEBUT MOTOGP WIN
12 July 2005 - Honda Racing

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden sent 60,000 fans crazy today by taking his first MotoGP win under clear blue skies at Laguna Seca, California.

His team–mate Max Biaggi came home fourth in a hard-fought 32-lap race.

Hayden controlled the weekend like no other in his short MotoGP career. The hugely popular 23-year-old finished the first practice session on Friday second fastest and from there dominated every session by heading the pack in practice, qualifying and the warm-up this morning.

Starting from the first pole position on his 38th MotoGP start, the American took the holeshot and never looked back. The ‘Kentucky Kid’ literally left the best of the world in his wake. By lap seven he had an advantage of 2.8s that shrunk by a second as compatriot Colin Edwards closed the gap.

Hayden responded like a veteran on his RC211V and put his head down to leave Edwards unable to mount an attack. In the end he crossed the finish line 1.9s clear to claim 25 precious championship points and his first, memorable MotoGP win.

His efforts today list him alongside American greats who have won premier class races at Laguna Seca. Out of the seven Laguna Seca races Americans have now won six; Eddie Lawson (1988) and Wayne Rainey (1989’ 90’ 91’) John Kocinski (1993) and now Hayden. Hayden’s win is also the first premier class GP victory for Honda at the famous Californian racetrack.

Biaggi’s smooth style masked the incredible effort the Italian was making round the 3.6km roller-coaster of a track 120 miles south of San Francisco. Although he had his difficulties in the practice and qualifying sessions his ranking of third fastest in the crucial morning warm up was promising for the 32-lap race that lay ahead.

The 34-year-old made a fantastic start from the third row of the grid and was placed third at the end of the first lap. On lap four he was challenging Troy Bayliss for third when, as the pack approached the infamous corkscrew, he was pushed wide and lost three places. The Italian recovered strongly and passed Sete Gibernau on the way to a solid fourth which consolidates his championship third place as Marco Melandri failed to score after crashing out without injury early in the race.

Makoto Tanaka, Repsol Honda Team Manager
“A very special day and one we will all remember for ever. Nicky has been the man to beat all weekend and in the end no one could touch him. His team did a great job and got the bike set-up well right from the start. They hardly changed a thing. We at Honda have always had faith in Nicky and today it all paid off.

“Mr Takeo Fukui, the President and CEO of Honda Motor Company was here to witness the first Honda win in the top class of GP racing at Laguna Seca ever. I am positive that now Nicky has tasted success we will be seeing more. Max had a quiet race in compassion but with Melandri crashing out, managed to close the gap to second place to only seven points.”

Max Biaggi – fourth
“It was a good race. Surely, we could have stepped on the podium this time, but it took me too long to pass Bayliss, who was slowing me down. So I lost the touch with the head of the race. I’m sorry, because I did a good start, from seventh to fourth place.

“I also liked the duel with Gibernau, tough but always fair. Well, I had fun. Today I really want to congratulate with my team-mate Nicky and with his guys. He was simply perfect all over the weekend. Bravo Nicky!

Nicky Hayden – first
“This is like a fairy tale. To come to your home GP and be fastest in nearly all the sessions and get pole and then win is just a dream come true. It s been a while since I won anything – except the dating game TV thing – and this feels amazing.

“For the race I put my head down and just rode my heart out the whole race. In the middle of the race I saw the time gap come down and I thought ‘oh no’, but I kept focussed. Getting Earl on the back at the end is a real dirt track thing. I owe my family everything. My Mum and Dad have given up so much for us all as a family. I remember the roof leaking as a kid when it rained as all the money we had went into racing. This win is for everyone in my team – for Honda in believing in me and for all the great fans around this track today who helped me so much . Every dog has its day and today it all just came together. I’m going to enjoy this moment for sure.''

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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