What do you REALLY think of Nicky Hayden:

**denill** · 7th March 2007, 07:06

There were a number of varying comments as to the ability of the current World MotoGP champion!

So now we are heading to the MotoGP kick-off - just what do you REALLY think of Nicky Hayden's ability?? ie: Where will he finish in '07??

**James Deuce** · 7th March 2007, 07:11

Whatever comments anyone makes, Nicky won the World Championship last year and no one else did.

**Pwalo** · 7th March 2007, 07:31

OK I'm a Rossi fan, so I'm biased, but Nicky Hayden got the points.

He held his nerve pretty well at the end of the year as well.

This year I'd back Rossi, of course. I think that you'd be a fool to write Hayden off completely, but I think that he'll struggle if the Doctor finds a bit of consistency this season. Mind you everyone will struggle if this happens!

**riffer** · 7th March 2007, 07:31

Exactly Jim.

But he will come 5th this year.

After Pedrosa, Hopkins, Rossi, and Melandri, in that order.

**denill** · 7th March 2007, 07:37

Originally Posted by Jim2

Whatever comments anyone makes, Nicky won the World Championship last year and no one else did.

Hey Jim, you either haven't voted yet - or you don't think he will win this year.

I think he will come 3rd. Rossi will win and, ummm maybe Pedrosa,Melandri, or even Edwards, or someone else we be 2nd.

**Korea** · 7th March 2007, 07:52

I'm thinking that we'll see a return to Rossi's 2005 effort this season:

Originally Posted by Wikipedia

In 2005, Rossi captured his 7th World Championship and 5th straight MotoGP Championship. He finished with a total of 367 points, an incredible 147 points ahead of 2nd place finisher Marco Melandri (220 pt), and Nicky Hayden finishing 3rd with 206 points.

...but of course it will be closer on the 800s.

Nicky will be fast, no doubt, but competition from Melandri and Pedrosa is going to see him relegated to 4th; best case scenario.

We'll see how the season unfolds - roll on the weekend!

**vifferman** · 7th March 2007, 08:11

Where's the "Who gives a rodent's rectum?!?" option?

**vifferman** · 7th March 2007, 08:12

Originally Posted by Jim2

Whatever comments anyone makes, Nicky won the World Championship last year and no one else did.

Ah... that's not actually true.
Rossi lost the World Championship.

**Motu** · 7th March 2007, 08:28

http://blogger.xs4all.nl/daisy/articles/189145.aspx

Kropotkin gives the best MotoGP coverage I've seen,it's a long article,but damn good.

The bikes are going to suit Pedrosa more this year - so Rossi will direct his attention there...on and off track.He is going to do a Sete on Pedrosa and demolish him mentaly.This puts Nicky in a good position to do what he did last year - work quietly in the background racking up podiums every meeting,hopefully some will be on the top step.I don't think he would hold up to Rossi's dedicated onslaught to regain his title....but maybe he won't have to.I think Edwards will be up front where he should be this year too.

**skelstar** · 7th March 2007, 08:38

Isn't this essentially moot? Who really has a decent grasp of what the differences are between the performance of the bikes?

**Maido** · 7th March 2007, 08:50

IMO.....

Providing Yamaha can build a good package this year (initial test are good, but remember the mechanical DNF last year and tyre faults) I would expect this year to be the year that Rossi actually shows what a rider he is, not from buggering off and winning by 30 seconds but by winning, what I think will be, a season of some of the closest racing you will ever watch.
I think Hayden has done it hard, slowly getting up to pace, but always finding that next level and not dropping away from it (unlike some riders who hit and miss sometimes). I think once he finds pace and rythem he will be very consistant (not fast sometimes like pedrobot) and it would only take a few DNF's to alter the championship.

Realistically I see him 3rd this year.

**vifferman** · 7th March 2007, 08:52

It's all pharkeen academic, as I don't have Sky, so I won't be able to see it.
Bugrit (millenium hand 'n shrimp...)

Speaking of which:
Does anybody what does have Sky TV be willing to tape / record to disk the MotoGP for me? I will/am be willing to pay some shekel-dollars for this service. Plus you can have some/all of my kids. And all my gotes.

**Shaun** · 7th March 2007, 11:29

Nicki will be 2nd place LOOSER

**HenryDorsetCase** · 7th March 2007, 11:45

No one gets to be the champ without having some luck, more talent than I will ever have, and a great team and machine blah blah. Its fashionable to bag Hayden but I dont buy that. As someone else said, he was MotoGP champ last year, and no one else was: woulda and coulda just dont matter.

I also think its really good for the sport to have a Merkin as world champ again, and for him to win in the States at Laguna. Lots more exposure for the sport, advertiser dollars and building the brand. Much as I enjoy Nascar (whoops I am sideways at 200mph) MotoGP kicks its arse as a spectator sport.

Hayden seems like a nice enough bloke in the interviews Ive read. Cut him a break.

also, Yay for HRC!!!

**vifferman** · 7th March 2007, 11:50

Dude, what you said sounded quite sensible and well-considered, until you said, "Much as I enjoy Nascar". That totally blew any credibility you had. Even my Murkn friends don't like NASCAR. No, not even the guy who rides a VFR and runs a NASCAR team.

Speaking of which:
Does anybody what does have Sky TV be willing to tape / record to disk the MotoGP for me? I will/am be willing to pay some shekel-dollars for this service. Plus you can have some/all of my kids. And all my gotes.