Nicky Hayden Throttles Putrajaya
Ahead of the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit, the 2006 MotoGP Champion Nicky Hayden made some noise.
The Drive M7 Aspar Honda RCV1000R pilot was joined other Malaysian riders as he rode his bike down the streets of Putrajaya, the federal administrative center of Malaysia.
“To ride the wide streets and avenues of beautiful Putrajaya has been an amazing experience!,” Hayden says. “Of course, I couldn’t ride at the kind of speeds I will manage at Sepang, but the turnout from the local fans was awesome.”
“This will be my 12th MotoGP race start in Malaysia. After finishing tenth in Australia last weekend, I’m now just looking forward to arriving at Sepang for what is a big weekend for myself, the team and our title sponsor. I hear a big crowd is expected!”
The sole American in all of Grand Prix motorcycle racing rode the Honda along the streets alongside Malaysian stars Azlan Shah of Moto2, and his Moto3 counterparts Zulfahmi Khairuddin, Hafiq Azmi and wildcard rider Hafiza Rofa.
Following the street demonstration, Hayden were quizzed by the media in a press conference before heading to Sepang ahead of Free Practice. Also present were Malaysian stars of the Shell Advance Asia Talent Cup, with its inaugural season set to meet its climax with a double-header at Sepang this weekend.
Free practice for the Malaysian Grand Prix – round 17 or 18 – begins at 9 a.m. local time on Friday, with Sunday’s MotoGP race commencing at 4 p.m. local time (GMT +8).