Author Topic: Nicky Hayden - A tough season ahead (Read 291 times)

terryc · « **on:** March 27, 2007, 02:50:03 AM »

Okay, I was really glad that Nicky won the title last year especially on the Honda RC211V and I know we are only into the second race of MotoGP but he hasn't exactly lit any fires up to now.
And it must really p*** him off that that kid Danny is riding the RC212V like he was born with it.
Although I am from the UK and want to see British riders in the forefront, I really like Nicky's down to earth attitude and I really hope it gets it right this season but then again I would like to see Edwards and Stoner do well too.
So any bass players out there who love MotoGP as much as I do have any comments & thoughts

jacko · « **Reply #1 on:** March 27, 2007, 04:54:59 AM »

Not me terry but the guy I'm sitting next to is fanatical. Think he's off to Donington this weekend.
edit - it's the wsb this weekend - he's doing motogp in june. Doh!

graeme

(Message edited by jacko on March 27, 2007)

kmh364 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 27, 2007, 06:05:48 AM »

Are you kidding? Of course there are MotoGP fans here that play Alembic! I took my honeymoon at the '93 USGP @ Laguna Seca! Also been to Oz in '03 @ Phillip Island for the Aussie GP. MGP, SBK, AMA, etc., you name it I've been there/seen it!

While I don't begrudge Nicky anything, personally, I'm all for Colin II. While I've just about given-up hope he'll ever get another World title (this time in MotoGP), I hope he gets at least ONE win before he retires. I met him and his girlfriend (now wife) when they were kids and he had just won the AMA 250GP title and have been following his career since.

FWIW, it's no secret that HRC is coddling Dani to be a World Champion. The 800 was designed with him in mind, not Nicky. Nicky nearly lost the title last year when HRC forced him to run development parts, despite leading the points nearly the entire season. He's supposed to be the #1 rider on the #1 team (HRC's press kit, not mine)! That he still won was a credit to Nicky (with a little help from Valentino and a lot of help from Yamaha)...HRC clearly could care less. Apparently, Alberto Puig has a lot of pull...must be those all Repsol Pesetas! Dani's very good, and he will be World Champ at least one more time (re: in MGP), but he's no Valentino.

My dream is to follow the MotoGP circuit around Europe for a season on a bike. Eat, sleep, ride, races, etc. for a summer. It doesn't get much better than that!

As far as Brits in MGP go, you'll have to take solace in SBK for now...Ulsterman McWilliams is on hiatus pending sponsorship funding for Ilmor. While the Yank contingent has something to cheer for with four pilots in MGP, World Super's is a no-man's-land for the US.

terryc · « **Reply #3 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:02:52 AM »

Couldn't agree more KMH364, it looks like repsol have more influence than HRC in who gets what.
What annoys me is that they should have 'developed' the bike out of season instead of giving it to Nicky during the active season. It is like us lot using a amp which we are not familiar with on stage, okay we could get away with it on our knowledge and get a decent sound but would get a better sound if we knew it before the gig..same as Nick, he knows how to ride but on a development bike in the major races.. not a good idea.
Colin Edwards..a great guy, always comes to a small town in North Yorkshire in the UK called Northallerton when he is here for the GP and talks/sign autographs for the fans. Drinks Newcastle Brown ale(very potent beer!!!) and has time for everyone.
As far as a brit..well there is talk of James Toseland getting a ride in MotoGP next year..possibly on a Honda but we will have wait & see.

jacko · « **Reply #4 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:05:14 AM »

They're nice folks in Northallerton terry. That's where my gran lived and my aunt/uncle and cousins still do. Used to come down to croft autodrome now and then with a mate who ran a norton commando. Those were the days.

graeme

terryc · « **Reply #5 on:** March 27, 2007, 08:15:13 AM »

well I am up the road at a suburb call Ingleby Barwick..the largest housing estate in Europe!!!
Good ale houses in N'allerton

kmh364 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 27, 2007, 10:12:36 AM »

Well, at least James has a ride on a works bike in a World Championship (and he is a former 2004 SBK Champ). Possibly the best current UK rider at the moment is completely out of a ride...I'm referring to 2003 SBK World Champ Neil Hodgson. His disastrous stint in 2004 in MGP on the 2nd string (D'Antin) Ducati team cost him a chance at a real factory works ride. His two mediocre seasons on a Duc in the states did little to correct that. I'd like to see what either Brit can do on proper kit as opposed to the ex-250 also-rans that keep popping-up in MGP on factory rides (presumbly because of sponsorship deals, not because of talent).

No matter what they all say publicly, and how good of a ride they have in whatever Championship they compete in, they all want to be in MotoGP.

Getting back to Hayden, while it's a bit premature to ask him to hand over the cup now, he is gonna have a H*ll of a time keeping the #1 Plate this year. A sane betting man would never bet against Vale.

Regardless, I'm dying to take a trip to 'ole Blighty! Save us a pint, Colin! Castle Donnington (Derby?) look out, the bloody Yanks are storming across the pond! LOL!

Bradley Young · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2007, 01:18:34 PM »

If we talk about basses, is that off topic?

bigredbass · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2007, 07:00:30 PM »

So why are you surprised? HRC has a long history or treating their best drivers like dogs.
That's why it was especially a giggle when The Doctor took his (long-time HRC guy) crew chief and his whole crew with him to Yamaha.

I, too, wish Colin Edwards would get a break, but not likely in his role as backup to Valentino.

It really would be a big hoot, though, if Ducati could win out.

J o e y

terryc · « **Reply #9 on:** March 28, 2007, 01:13:01 AM »

Yes, Valentino proved that it is the rider and not the machine that counts, you may have the bike technology of the universe but it is no good if you cannot get a rider to use it.
Would be good to see ducati do a lot this season, I mean at Qatar did anyone tell Ducati that they are supposed to be 800 and not 990 engines especially on the straight..it just seemed to rocket past everything!!!

to_81_0190 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 28, 2007, 02:48:18 AM »

I'm cheering for Ducati although I'm Japanese. I wish Nakano rode on Ducati not Yamaha.

Toshiaki

kmh364 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 28, 2007, 06:31:51 AM »

I love the Ducs too. I dig the riders on them, but my faves just happen to be currently riding Yami.

Just like Nicky couldn't get a break when the Doc was his teamate, Colin has a real mountain to climb. His strength lies in his tire-testing skills and loyalty to his team. Michelin freely admits that he is their greatest asset...all the Michelin riders owe a debt to Colin and his hard work. On top of that, Vale apparently appreciates having a loyal and complimentary teammate.

Never say never, Toshi. Ducati Corse has been using the services of former HRC factory pilot Shinchi Itoh as a tester (and sometimes racer, when the factory guys have been injured), so a Japanese rider on an Italian bike is not out of the question. Shinya is a very good rider and, apparently, a gentleman as well. He's shown brilliance on the 990 Kawi in the past. I'm betting his 250 experience would be an asset on that blindingly fast red Desmodieci.

We can talk about basses, Bradley. Just not in this thread, LOL! Seriously, who on the MGP grid plays Alembic? Colin? Vale? Capirex? Shinya-san? Toni? LOL! J/K

bigredbass · « **Reply #12 on:** March 28, 2007, 07:40:38 AM »

Although, I am VERY glad the planets aligned for HRC to supply engines to Kenny Roberts' team. I came to watching this type of racing because of KR back in his heyday. Will NEVER forget watching him and his in-training replacement, Eddie Lawson, flying their Marlboro Yamahas around Daytona, back when the 500GP's were still run there in those days. ESPECIALLY when KR wheelied across the finish line at 180mph!

I always thought the then-new VMax must have been KR's idea for a cruiser . . . .

J o e y

kmh364 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2007, 08:11:30 AM »

Theres's more than a little irony in the fact that King Kenny, who made a career out of thumbing his nose at the might of the Japanese families, would be saved by Big Red at the 11th hour. Buster Roberts must be turning over in his grave knowing Kenny's Anglo/American racer is Honda-powered. Unfortunately, it's the only thing that's made the bike competetive after nearly a decade of trying.

terryc · « **Reply #14 on:** April 03, 2007, 07:43:19 AM »

All eyes on Turkey this weekend..any bets on 1st, 2nd or 3rd??
My predication

Pedrosa
Stoner
Rossi