MotoGP Misano: Nicky Hayden “It was fantastic to see Vale on the podium today”

Nicky Hayden finished the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix in seventh position. The American from Ducati, who was returning after the injury in qualifying at Indianapolis, suffered a lot in the race and at the end wanted to congratulate his team-mate Valentino Rossi, who was second today. The word is up to him.

“This morning I felt quite sore and even thought about not running but then I decided to try. A lot happened on the track today and I thought that if I rode cleanly I would get to the end with a decent result, even if it would be tough. Anyone who has never used carbon brakes with a Bridgestone front is unlikely to know what it means to tighten the brake lever of a MotoGP today. Every couple of laps I had to slow down the pace a little to allow my hand to recover. It was painful but in the end I managed to bring home seventh place. We hope to start again from here. It was fantastic to see Vale on the podium today, I think it's recognition for all the efforts of Filippo (Preziosi), his technical staff, the team and the company.”

Photos: Alex Farinelli