MotoGP news

Disorderly Friday for Hayden

Nicky Hayden experienced another day of frustrations at Le Mans on Friday, as the 2006 Champion continues to strive to be on terms with Ducati team-mate and 2007 Champion Casey Stoner. The American finished the first practice session of the weekend in just fifteenth place, however, as a mix of setup adjustments and variable conditions combined with a negative outcome.

Hayden has struggled to match the pace of his team-mate all season so far, although the Kentucky star is refusing to give in. "We thought we were going to have an hour today but it seems like the weather decided we should stick to 45 minutes!" Hayden said after another rain-lead event. "I constantly got a little faster, a little faster, and then I was really just getting going on my second run when it started to rain. For a while it looked like it couldn't decide whether it wanted to rain or whether the sun was coming back out but unfortunately the conditions were never back to what we needed."

With Saturday's second and last hour-long practice session due to start at 8:55 local time (GMT +1), Nicky is looking to pick up where he left off on Friday. "I was planning to go out on the softer tyre and see how that felt but we didn't get that chance," he explained. "It's early days to comment on the relationship with Juan (Martinez, new crew chief) but he clearly knows his stuff and we'll see how we go."

more news

• 07 Nov.
  • Rossi struggles at Valencia
  • Lorenzo enjoys 16th front row of the season
  • Stoner confident at Valencia
  • Unbeatable Stoner grabs pole position at Valencia
  • Photos: Saturday in Valencia
  • Stoner also fastest in second practice Valencia
• 06 Nov.
  • Gusts affecting bike performance, says Pedrosa
  • Photos: Friday in Valencia
  • Rossi: Quite a lot of work to do
  • Lorenzo searching for home victory
  • Stoner leads Friday practice in Valencia
• 05 Nov.
  • Suppo to leave Ducati
  • Valencia extends contract to 2016
• 04 Nov.
  • Spies reveals special Valencia livery
• 03 Nov.
  • Canepa to miss season final in Valencia
  • Rossi: Now we can enjoy ourselves
  • Pedrosa determined to finish on a high
• 27 Oct.
  • Ducati test rider to become Team Manager
• 25 Oct.
  • Lorenzo faced difficult race at Sepang
  • Photos: Sunday at Sepang
  • Title a great achievement says Rossi
  • Rossi claims 2009 championship as Stoner wins the race
• 24 Oct.
  • Photos: Saturday at Sepang
  • Stoner disappointed with fourth place
  • Motivated Pedrosa aims for race win at Sepang
  • Lorenzo unhappy with lack of pace
  • Rossi surprised with pole position record
  • Rossi dominates in qualifying with pole position record
  • Pedrosa leads second practice at Sepang
• 23 Oct.
  • Rossi: The race will be very hard
  • Lap times not worrying, says Pedrosa
  • Stoner in good shape at Sepang
  • Lorenzo in pain after Australia shunt
  • Photos: Friday at Sepang
  • Lorenzo leads opening Sepang practice
• 22 Oct.
  • Canepa to miss Malaysian Grand Prix
• 21 Oct.
  • Elías targeting 4-place rise
  • Pedrosa hoping to secure Sepang victory
  • Rossi hoping for more 'gold dust'
• 20 Oct.
  • Dovizioso: Sepang is my favourite track

Homepage