News

Hayden aiming for three-peat at laguna

18/07/07

Laguna Seca MotoGP preview by David Miller

Nicky Hayden is going into this weekend's Laguna Seca MotoGP with all guns blazing, desperate to win his home race for the third year running - and his plan his is so secret he won't even discuss it with his brother and Kawasaki wildcard Roger Lee Hayden.

This time last year, the reigning world champion arrived at Laguna leading the championship but this time he way down the order. Recent results, however, have seen something of a resurgence.

“It’ll be fun racing against my brother. I have not given him any advice. I am sure once we are there we will make some comments to each other about something but Roger likes to do things his own way. I think it will be good fun and it is good for American fans and give the AMA boys a chance," said the Repsol Honda rider.

“There’s actually a lot less pressure this year compared to last season because in 2006 I went to Laguna with a points lead in the championship and I really felt like I had to win that race or it would send out all the wrong signals to my title rivals. I was the favourite really.

“There will still be pressure, but I’m less of a favourite this time. I don’t really think the home advantage counts for much now. We’ve been here for two years and these boys can get the hang of the place pretty quickly – we’re not talking club racers here. Plus a lot of the home advantage used to be on the blind approach to the Corkscrew and they’ve changed that part of the track now. Still, I really like the circuit and I’ll definitely be giving it all I’ve got to get that third straight win in front of my home fans.”

Fellow American Colin Edwards enjoyed his performance at the Saschsenring - a track he is not keen on - but Laguna holds good memories despite the Texan's illness last time here.

"Germany turned into a really good weekend for us and I was very happy with the performance of my bike in the end - especially the tyres," said the Fiat Yamaha man. "Fourth place at a track I don't like has given me a lot of confidence for Laguna Seca, a place I love, and it's good to go there on a roll. It's my home race and I've got lots of friends and family coming down to add to the suppor t of a few fans, I hope!

"Last year I was pretty sick on race day and it wasn't a good experience but this time I'm feeling in great shape and I'm determined to go one step higher than in 2005. I know the track better than anyone and the fans always give me a real boost so I'll be giving it my all from Friday morning."

Championship leader Casey Stoner had, by his season so far, a pretty disappointing German GP but is determined to make up for it at a track he likes. However, he is under no illusions about how quick the US track is.

“After last weekend we'll be working hard to come back at Laguna. It's refreshing to go there because it's a really different racetrack. Like they say, it hasn't been designed by some guy with a computer, it flows with the land and it's really tricky with ups and downs,” said the young Aussie.

“The track can get a little bit dusty, so the grip's not always the best but I quite enjoy that sometimes. I like the whole atmosphere of the American GP, I was very impressed with the American fans last year, they were very supportive to everyone, they're there to have a good time. I think there will be a lot of bikes that can run quick at Laguna and I'm sure the Ducati will perform fine because it's been able to do that at every track so far this year.”

Edwards' team-mate Rossi had what some would regard as a disaster in Germany, scoring no points after he crashed out. The one saving grace was Stoner's failure to capitalise and grab maximum points.

"Laguna was a great disappointment for me last year because I wasn't able to finish," says Rossi, who has also yet to take victory at Istanbul Park (Turkey) and Misano (San Marino). "I have never won there and after the disappointment of Germany I am determined to do so this time! I'm really glad we have such a short time between r aces because there's no time to dwell on what happened on Sunday, we just have to focus on Laguna Seca.

 "With the way that our bike and tyres are working now, I think we have a great potential there. It's a great place to race and I think if they've made the improvements we hope to the track then it will be a good weekend. The championship is long and the important thing is to get as many points as possible from every race and arrive at the end still fighting."

Fresh from his first race win in more than a year, Dani Pedrosa looks to be back on fighting form and spoiling for another victory. His wet-weather riding has improved out of sight this season - but there's not much chance of rain in the Californian desert.

"Germany was a fantastic result for me and the team and I hope we can build on it," said the Spaniard. "Last year we had a good result at Laguna Seca which was really positive because it was my first visit to the track. It was very hot too last year - even hotter than the race we've just had inGermany - and I hope we don't get that weather again because it's really tough to ride in these conditions. The track has had work again this year so we're faced with a new bike and a new surface."

John Hopkins is the third regular American in the MotoGP line up, and he will be joined by two more when they line up on Sunday (click here for separate story). He reckons he loves the track and looking for a win at home.

“I can’t wait to get to Laguna; it is great to be coming home to race. I love racing there and it always feels special to me. All my family and friends are there and the American fans get to see a MotoGP for the only time this year in their country. It is a great track to race on and hopefully we can give a good showing on the Rizla Suzuki and try and stand on top of the box!”

Laguna Seca celebrates its half century this year, it was constructed in 1957 on a dried-up lagoon in part of the US Army’s field artillery target range, and has staged the US GP since the event’s return to America in 2005. The circuit is one of the narrowest on the MotoGP calendar and features one of the scariest corners found on any racetrack anywhere in the world – The Corkscrew – where riders almost drop off the side of the track in a virtually sheer drop left-hand bend before turning immediately right half-way down.