Ducati Team’s Nicky Hayden, Valentino Rossi end up in a crash at Valencia Grand Prix – MotoGP news
Ducati Team duo Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi was caught in an accident at the first corner of the initial lap in Valencia Grand Prix.
Both Hayden and Rossi were hit by Alvaro Bautista of Rizla Suzuki. The Spaniard accidentally got in contact with Andrea Dovizioso’s rear end and slid into his fellow riders. The fourth victim of the crash was Randy de Puniet of Pramac Racing.
Hayden said, “I felt some riders coming up the inside really fast as we approached Turn 1. Then something happened and it was just the domino effect - race over in the first corner. I’m okay other than my hand being pretty sore. It’s unfortunate.”
The Kentucky Kid was able to hit a decent start and follow the rider’s pack that led the race. Hayden was seventh on the grid just behind his teammate Rossi at sixth place.
The American rider said that the bike is producing heat in tyres. It helps during the wet and cold race conditions.
During the warm-up lap, the bike gave a good feel. The American rider was fifth in the time chart. Meanwhile Rossi had to struggle during the morning’s outing on the raceday.
However, the race ended for Ducati but it was expected that the bike could have performed well in the last race of the season.
The Italian rider was unfortunately squeezed between Bautista and his teammate Hayden when that accident took place.
Rossi escaped the crash with no injuries and headed for an early end to his season at seventh place in the world championship. Rossi had a point’s tie with Marco Simoncelli of San Carlo Honda Gresini, sixth.
Rossi said, “There’s really nothing to say about today, other than that I’m sorry beyond measure not to have been able to put on Sic’s T-shirt for the lap of honour. It’s truly a shame. I started well and all the conditions were in our favour for having
a nice race, but we were unfortunate and received no points here either.”
The Italian rider said that his season finish along with Simoncelli points is a tribute to his close friend and fellow rider, who died in the Malaysian GP.
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