Comments on: Nicky Hayden – 2006 MotoGP World Champion

By: Frank

Frank — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 16:27:24 +0000

Congratulations to Nicky Hayden! I had to say that first. I’ve been pulling for a fellow American to win all year. I do like Valentino Rossi and Danny Pedrosa though! Two awesome riders and very entertaining to watch!

However, I think Nicky Hayden winning the championship was not as much a testament to his skill as it was to how good his bike was. I think Nicky winning spoke more to say that Honda is the better bike of the two. Had it not been for Rossi having bike problems I don’t think Nicky would have one the championship. When both bikes were running well Rossi consistently beat Hayden. Had both bikes run equally well and Hayden beat Rossi, than yes I would say that Rossi was out ridden by Hayden. But that was not the case.

During the last race when Rossi made a mistake I do think it was a rare instance of cracking under pressure for the man that generally handles pressure well.

I think Danny Pedrosa will be a major contender next year. What a sophmore effort he had! His sophmore effort was far better than Nickys first couple of years. Whether on the new 800s or if the bikes were the same as last year Pedrosa is going to be a force to be reckoned with in future years.

Whats up with Sete Gibernau? How can he get so many poles and choke so many times at the same time?

By: rob

rob — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 21:11:41 +0000

can’t wait for next year. it should be Rossi’s best effort yet. hopefully Nicky can ride just as smart next year as he did this year.

By: Alberto Carreon

Alberto Carreon — Wed, 08 Nov 2006 01:35:05 +0000

The battle of Troy

Regaining destined glory.
Three years without a win he persevered.
The auto painter from taree fought sorry.
Returning hero revered.

The advent ex champion brought promise,
As fervent Bologna fans sat track side.
His courage assured no Red demise.
The belief and grit moved failure aside.

In his heart, we rode as witness to faith.
Opportunities redeemed, dreams realized.
Aussie farmboy turned Superman of fate.
The British, World reign, deservedly prized.

Assen crashes showed determination.
Haga slide sampled tremendous fight.
Colin attack displayed dedication.
Suzuki sixth would GSE light.

32 attains national attention.
88 Hines raised eyebrows in Daytona.
21 sustained Ducati domination.
12 now 1, left as: “king of Valencia”.

Troy Bayliss, family man of Monaco,
Traveled lines uncharted and conquered “no”.
Followed fearful bends of uncertainty,
And made his rocky script legendary.

By: aaron

aaron — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 05:36:31 +0000

my thoughts on nicky’s future success comes from his past experience. the big torquey heavy bikes he has manhandled around the track (RC51 & RC211V) are far from the precise, peaky, small, light, high corner speed 250 experience that most motogp riders have somewhere in their past. his teammate weighs very little, is small, won the 250cc world championship last year, and has compared the new honda to a 250. every other comment i’ve seen from other riders regarding the new 800cc bikes also indicates that the class will more closely resemble 250s rather than superbikes.

if nicky can overcome the weight and aero disadvantages, his style should be entertaining to watch on the new bikes, and if he keeps building on his success, with a few more wins next year I may have nothing left to complain about. (god forbid! )

By: hoyt

hoyt — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 15:41:05 +0000

I wrote earlier…”Aaron, we’ll see what happens next year as the 800s get developed….and this is not in disagreement to your points.”

I should say, I don’t disagree with Aaron except for Nicky “being one of the least likely to succeed on an 800″. Nicky has the drive & consistency that will allow him to succeed.

In regards to CJ’s last comment, Rossi may have made mistakes, but I seriously doubt they were from cracking under pressure.