MotoGP Rider News
Following in the steps of his new teammate Valentino Rossi, Ducati Team rider Nicky Hayden will bring a MotoGP presence to the 2011 Isle of Man TT.
On June 8, the “Kentucky Kid” Hayden will lap the 37.7 Mountain Course during the centenary celebrations for the 2011 Isle of Man TT, bringing an American spark to the legendary event.
Hayden will lap the track during the Arai Parade lap with Ian Hutchinson, who won all five solo races at the 2010 Isle of Man TT, and five-times 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan. The IOMTT also says Hayden will also start and present the trophy for the Monster Energy Supersport Race 2.
Nicky Hayden (Ducati MotoGP Team) says: “I’m really looking forward to going to the Isle of Man. I’ve been to pretty much every kind of motorcycle race you can imagine – the Daytona 200, the Jerez MotoGP, the Anaheim Supercross, the Namur World Motocross – but I’ve never been to the Isle of Man or any other real street race.
“The TT is just one of those events that every race fan wants to see eventually. I’m a huge fan of motorcycle racing of any kind, and I feel like this one is definitely something I’m missing. People have always told me, ‘You need to go to the TT,’ and now I’m finally going to get my chance.
“I’m really looking forward to meeting the riders, and I want to see what they do and how they do it. I’m not sure what to expect, but I do know it takes a brave rider, which is something I respect.”
Paul Phillips (Isle of Man Government TT and Motorsport Development Manager) says: “I’m sure that TT fans will give Nicky Hayden a fantastic welcome when he visits the Isle of Man this year. His trip will be a real boost for the event and will help us increase our profile worldwide. He is one of the great names in modern motorcycle racing and we are sure that he’ll enjoy his introduction to road racing.”
Hayden had a rough start to 2011 MotoGP, finishing ninth at the season-opener in Qatar. But during a wet and wild MotoGP race in Jerez, Hayden gave Ducati its first podium of 2011, finishing third behind race-winner Jorge Lorenzo (Factory Yamaha) and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda). Hayden is currently fourth in the overall standings with 23 points, 22 behind the leader Lorenzo.
Hayden joined MotoGP in 2003 after taking the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship and also winning the Daytona 200 that same year. In 2003, Hayden captured the MotoGP “Rookie of the Year” award, and then won the MotoGP Championship in 2006 while competing on the Repsol Honda.
Last year, Hayden’s teammate Rossi participated in the parade lap while competing on the Fiat Yamaha M1 in 2010 MotoGP.
