Repsol Honda riders Nicky Hayden and Dani Pedrosa took third
and fourth places in front of record crowds at the Grand Prix of
the Czech Republic on Sunday. With 141,632 fans lining the
spectacular Brno circuit the factory Honda pairing extracted the
best from the latest improvements to their RC212V machines
during the 22-lap race, with Hayden recording his third podium
finish in four races and Pedrosa closing the gap to Valentino
Rossi in the World Championship.
From second on the grid - his highest qualifying position of the
2007 season so far - Hayden was squeezed back to fourth into
the first corner as Casey Stoner took the lead from pole position,
followed by Pedrosa in second and John Hopkins in third. A hard-
charging Hayden overtook his team-mate on lap two and set off
in pursuit of John Hopkins who had managed to get past Pedrosa
on the opening lap. For a while it looked like the World Champion
might be able to challenge the leaders as he rode his RC212V to
the maximum, but it soon became clear that the 26-year-old
American couldn't quite match the pace of the front pair and
Hayden settled for his third podium finish of the season to
continue his recent run of form.
Pedrosa made a fast start from third on the grid and took second
position into the first corner. Though the 21-year-old Spaniard
looked threatening, in the initial laps he wasn't able to generate
enough heat in his tyres and was passed first by Hopkins, then
Hayden and Capirossi, which put him in fifth place at the end of
lap four. By this stage the three-time world champion's tyre
temperature had increased which allowed him to up the pace and
he retook Capirossi for fourth place. He then held the gap to
Hayden to the chequered flag and, with his fourth place finish,
reduced the deficit to Valentino Rossi in the World Championship
to 18 points.
The Repsol Honda Team remains at the 5.403km (3.357-mile)
Brno circuit for two days of testing during which time they will
continue to analyse the RC212V's improved chassis and engine
developments, and carry out tyre testing in conjunction with
Michelin. click on ozzy go to the full stoty on nickyhayden.com