Can Nicky Hayden win another GP?

[AllanB]

Like to see Rossi on a Ducati - keeping it in the family and all that.

[KS34]

I don't think so.

its time Nicky realised he would make a great Superbike rider and probably have more fun.

I think you are bang on the money here! As long as Spies goes to MotoGp, maybe they could swap.

[JayRacer37]

I think you are bang on the money here! As long as Spies goes to MotoGp, maybe they could swap.

I think Yamaha will be looking very hard at swapping Spies and Toseland around next year, particularly given as of next year they can't bring a MotoGP rookie into their factory teams - The argument remains to be had to see if Spies' races last year remove his 'rookie' status tho.

[Deano]

So this begs the question........how would Stoner go on the Yamaha or Honda then..........?

[Marknz]

...was also helpful Mat Mladin had cronic fatigue syndrome the year he won the AMA title...

that's probably what Stoner has now, that or glandular fever

[cowpoos]

So this begs the question........how would Stoner go on the Yamaha or Honda then..........?

well..honda and michelin didn't work so well...but he was FAST at times...

I remember an interview where Stoner stated that he had little confidence in the michelin front tyre...

but back to your question...I reckon he'd do better than he currently is!!

[vifferman]

... after Colin Edwards crashed exiting the very last corner handing him the win.

Say what?!?
The reason Edwards crashed was Haystack ran him off the track! The only MotoGP race Edwards has looked like winning (and really deserved to), and Hayden spoils it for him. Edwards was so amused when he came third last season after Hayden's bike conked out in the exact same spot: "What can I say? Payback's a bitch... Karma .... What goes around, comes around..."

Back to Hayden: he looks like he's finally coming to grips with the Ducati. No-one else apart from Stoner has been able to, so is it that it's been tailored to Stoner, and others don't fit it? Or that it's an unridable beast, and Stoner's adapted himself to it? I know Hayden said it was a real beast when he test-rode it at the end of the last season, and that he had a lot of work to do. If he continues to improve each race as he's doing, he might get a podium, but I don't think he's going to find it at all easy to beat Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo or Dovizioso.

I'd really like to see Edwards on the podium. I doubt he has more than maybe one more season left in him.

[JayRacer37]

Say what?!?
The reason Edwards crashed was Haystack ran him off the track!

Well yes...was a shame, everyone got a bit heated and it was dissapointing that denyed Edwards his first win. But Edwards got carried away trying to get to the line and fatted it up on the grass, causing him to crash...the worst part was he didn't need to as Hayseed had already run off in the chicane and lost even more time.

[KS34]

I think Yamaha will be looking very hard at swapping Spies and Toseland around next year, particularly given as of next year they can't bring a MotoGP rookie into their factory teams - The argument remains to be had to see if Spies' races last year remove his 'rookie' status tho.

That "rookie rule" is an interesting one. What is the reason behind that? And will they move Colin Edwards out. I love the guys attitude but will he ever win a GP?

[JayRacer37]

That "rookie rule" is an interesting one. What is the reason behind that? And will they move Colin Edwards out. I love the guys attitude but will he ever win a GP?

I think they are aiming to see the non-factory teams get the best bikes to make the racing better. Basically it'll mean that the factory team should have factory bikes, but also the 'tier-2' teams will get a facotry bike IF the manufacturer wants (for eg, Simoncelli/Bautista) to step up onto a bike capable of winning.

I think what will end up happening though is facory teams having a 'coustomer' bike IE, Repsol Honda having a factory bike for Pedrosa and a coustomer bike for Dovizioso, and a factory bike in Scot Honda for Bautista, so the racing may end up just as devided.

Also, teams like Suzuki/Kawasaki with only one team will be exempt so they can get new talent, not only able to pick from existing MotoGP riders. I reckon they should be held to this as well though - this would promote more bikes on the grid in time...maybe

Edwards...I can see Yamaha trying to hold onto him because by all accounts he is a fantastic development rider. Even if they have him on a SBK, and test riding the GP bike for development (Like Bayliss with Ducati).

[SlideMoto]

Edwards...I can see Yamaha trying to hold onto him because by all accounts he is a fantastic development rider. Even if they have him on a SBK, and test riding the GP bike for development (Like Bayliss with Ducati).

interesting you should say that. I remember when Edwards 1st rode the Aprillia he said that the counter shaft sprocket was 25mil to high.

WTF??? how the hell can you tell that from one test day?

A bit like Rossis 1st fang on the Yamha. Climbed off and said that the swing arms to short. Yamaha didnt have a longer one on hand so the engineers on site added to it. No shit. Instatntly a better handeling bike that Mr Rossi went heaps quicker on.

[denill]

And will they move Colin Edwards out. I love the guys attitude but will he ever win a GP?

But he so nearly did. He must be still having nightmares over that..............

[Badjelly]

I believe the title of the thread has changed.

Can Nicky win another GP? Certainly. Can he win another championship. Ya're dreaming!

I rate him well behind Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo & Pedrosa. But definitely good enough to take out a WorldSBK title on the right bike.