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An interview with Nicky Hayden |
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Posted by Staff
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Thursday, 21 February 2008 |
AN INTERVIEW WITH 2006 WORLD CHAMPION NICKY HAYDEN
INDIANAPOLIS,
Thursday, Feb. 21, 2008 - An interview with 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky
Hayden of the United States, conducted by the Repsol Honda Team press
office.
Hayden, from Owensboro, Ky., will compete with the rest of the
MotoGP field in the inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Sept. 14 at
the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The 2008 MotoGP season starts Sunday, March 9
with the series' first-ever night race, at Qatar.
This will be Hayden's
sixth season in the elite MotoGP class, all with the Repsol Honda Team. He won
the world title in 2006 with two victories but slipped to eighth last season,
with no wins.
Hayden, 26, led two of three days of official MotoGP
testing this week at Jerez, Spain, on his Repsol Honda Team Honda/Michelin. He
also was among the leaders in testing last month at Phillip Island,
Australia.
Q. What are your feelings about the 2008 motorcycle/tire
package? What are the strong points of the new bike?
Nicky Hayden: I
think that the big advantage of the new bike is the extra rpm. On the track the
extra grunt on top is nice, it just keeps on pulling. But at the moment, the
power is too peaky, so the engine specialists at HRC have got some work to do
before the season opener. Extra speed doesn't always mean better lap times, but
in race situations, it's a big edge for overtaking other riders. Everybody is
working hard, and Honda is hungry to get the title back. Racing the first race
of the year under lights is going to be very cool for the riders, fans and
everybody involved. I'm really looking forward to that.
Q. Can you tell
us about your first 2008 test sessions? How is engine development
going?
NH: I like what I have seen so far, and we are working on the
development of the engine. I hope by the time we line up in Qatar that they will
have that new boy ready. I am excited to see what Honda will produce for
us.
Q. You are working on development of the pneumatic-valve engine. Do
you think it will be ready for the first race?
NH: I'm not sure that it
will be perfect by the first race, but I think Honda will produce us a real
weapon and that it will be ready. Qatar has a long home straight, and you need a
good engine with plenty of ponies.
Q. Do you think that Michelin has made
a step forward compared to last year?
NH: Yes, Michelin have made a nice
step forward. Also the wet-weather tires I used at Phillip Island were very
impressive, but we won't know the whole story 'til the first race. MotoGP is
never easy, but I have confidence in Michelin.
Q. Do you feel less
pressure this year? How are you approaching this season?
NH: I feel about
the same, as far as pressure goes, because every year I want to do my best and
make my team and the fans proud. This is not an easy game, but we have a great
team and a great bike. I am honored to be on the factory Repsol Honda Team, and
I don't take this opportunity lightly. I plan to rise up this year and make it
happen.
Q. What are your expectations for the 2008 season?
NH: My
target for the year is clear - to win the title. I know after last season it may
sound like a long shot, but I believe that when you do something once, you can
do it again. We shall soon find out; it's not long to the opener. I can't
wait.
from IMS press
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