Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden was ecstatic as he ended
a miserable 2007 in brilliant fashion in Assen today by claiming
his first podium in the new 800cc MotoGP era.
The American, who hadn’t even scored a top six finish in the
opening eight races, took a deserved third place behind dominant
duo Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha) and Casey Stoner (Ducati).
Starting from way down in 13th place on the grid after a wet
qualifying session, Hayden made a brilliant start and was fifth
at the end of the first lap.
He claimed fourth from Marco Melandri on lap two and then hit
third when he got by pole-setter Chris Vermeulen (Rizla Suzuki)
on lap four.
He slipped back to fourth place on lap eight when a hard charging
Rossi passed him but he set himself up for his first podium since
he won the 2006 title in Valencia last October with a move by
fellow American John Hopkins on lap 14.
By that time Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi had cut him adrift
but he comfortably pulled away from Repsol Honda team-mate
Dani Pedrosa (Reposol Honda) to secure his best result on the
factory RC212V.
Hayden had been confident of producing his best finish of the
season after he’d set the fastest time in this morning’s warm-up
session.
The 25-year-old though said his breakthrough result on Honda’s
struggling V4 was set up after his brilliant start.
He said: “On the warm-up lap I remember thinking this is by far
the best my bike has felt all year in any conditions and on the line
I remember thinking ‘fight like a dog today boy.’ “I got a really a
good start and got such a god start when I got to the hairpin I
almost relaxed too much and took a breath and Colin (Edwards)
came back by me. I needed a start. “That was the only choice I
had was to try and find a hole and do something. Even for a while
I thought we might be on for a better result but we’ll take this
one. “I want to say a big thanks to my team and all my guys who
have worked really hard for... click on ozzy go to the full story