MotoGP Phillip Island: Nicky Hayden “Flag To Flag? Right solution for the race”

Nicky Hayden (next Honda Production Racer in Team Aspar) achieved the eighth fastest time today at Phillip Island. The American Ducati rider lapped in 1'29.295, but is convinced that he could have done better without a couple of errors and a bit of traffic on the track. As regards the race direction's decision to adopt the flag-to-flag (halfway through the race the riders will be forced to enter the pits to take the second bike) in tomorrow's race he is convinced that it is the right thing, especially from the point of view from a safety point of view. The word is up to him.

“Today our gap to the others was smaller than usual, but I was hoping to improve a little more in the qualifying round. I thought I could get under 1.29, and it was certainly within my reach, but I wasn't able to put in a good lap. I made a couple of mistakes on my best lap, and then Iannone slowed me down a little, and we both lost precious tenths. I believe the 'flag-to-flag' format is the right solution for tomorrow. Safety on the track is always of the utmost importance, but we also have a responsibility to offer a good show to all spectators.”