MotoGP news
Stoner tips Hayden improvement
06 May 2009Casey Stoner is sure that Ducati team-mate Nicky Hayden will soon be up to speed after the American's poor start to the 2009 campaign. Whereas Stoner - Champion of 2007 - won the opening Grand Prix in Qatar from pole position and is second in the championship, Hayden - Champion of 2006 - lies seventeenth after three races, having registered just five points so far.
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"He's struggled with confidence of late," said Australian Stoner of his team-mate, who sustained injury with a qualifying crash at the opening round. "These last two races have been a disaster for him, and it's not really his fault. He made the mistake in Qatar and crashed - for sure that's a big blow to your confidence - and then of course Takahashi took him out (in Japan). There are maybe just a few things he needs to get over."
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| Hayden clinched the title for Repsol Honda in 2006 |
After witnessing pre-season testing performances, however, Stoner is confident that Hayden will soon be back to his winning ways: "We've seen him be very competitive, up in the top five, and getting more comfortable on the bike; then those things hit, and that put a backwards step in his stride. Hopefully we can see him start to bounce back."
Both riders are currently enjoying a fortnight's break between races, with the next due at Le Mans on 31 May.
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