Nicky Hayden, champ Motogp 2006 ---How?

Question

Having had a year to think about it, can anyone tell me how he managed it ? Surely he is the most unsuccessful champion ever.

Answer 1

Nicky Hayden is the Forrest Gump of Motogp. He just lucked into the title. Aside from last year every teammate has out performed him yet he keeps his job. Even last year his rookie teammate had the same # of wins. Speaking of wins he's had three in what 7 years on the best team in motogp, 2 at his home track and one at Assen which he was pretty much gifted as all the top riders were injured and Edwards fell off in the last corner. This has got to be the luckiest moron in racing hence the Gump moniker.

Answer 2

he was lucky Rossi had a bad year and his bike let him down a bit imo Rossi deserved the win but i just dont like nicky hayden

Answer 3

I am sorry but I think the first part of your question is ridiculous. He managed it by being a great rider and securing more points than anyone else, obviously. He deserved his 06 championship because he and his team got to the end of more races than anyone else, kept it upright, never caved under pressure and showed real class from the start of the season right to the end.

Yes he has had a rotten 07 but he is riding on a brand of tyre that has completely lost its way, on a bike made by a company who completely got their technical strategy wrong for the new rules and even at that on a bike that was designed primarily around Dani Pedrosa.

I never used to be a Hayden fan BUT it is the way that he has handled his securing the championship and the subsequent dreadful championship year that has turned my opinion right round. The guy NEVER complained, nor tried to blame anyone else, he worked his backside off to try and keep going right through the season and above all showed great sportsmanship, humility, dignity and again well just class.

It's easy to knock Nicky Hayden and lets face it a lot of people have a prejudice because he is an American, as daft as that would seem but it is the truth. In my opinion though he is one h**l of a rider, a deserved champion in 06 and yes the 07 results were not great but in so many more important ways he was a great champion.

By the way I would have to back through the record books to see if he is by result the most unsuccesful champ or not. I am however delighted to see that most of the answers here feel similarly to me, there are some true motorcycle race fans here who do actually know about the sport and what they are talking about.

Answer 4

Hey Retep

Possibly - but I have to admire him for just getting his head down and getting on with it. He has worked harder this year, for less reward, than he did last year and with little wingeing either.

So lets hear it for Haydon - a champ, and a proper grafter too!

Hope he has a better time next year.

Answer 5

If you believe what your saying is true, by that measure , you are stating that Randy Mamola was a rubbish rider.

Hayden did what he needed to do that year.

Yes Rossi had some problems, but Hayden kept his head down.

I remember in the W.S.B champ of 1993, Ru$$ell only won 5 races, Foggy won 11, but Scott took the title. Just like Nicky #69, he did what he needed to do.

Anybody who can lap with-in 107% of these boys lap times is a god. Simple as that.

For 2006, Nicky was the top dog. I think he will have a great 2008 however. The new 212 Honda is a little bigger and they have let loose on the electric's so he should be back on form again.

I cant wait !

Answer 6

Well it was a not so good year for Yamaha and a great one for Honda. I think part of his win was pure luck (though I do admit that he has some skills as a rider!)

As for him being to most unsuccessful champion ever, I think you got it 100% right!

Answer 7

Nicky had the most points last year when it mattered and this year has just been a complete disaster for him but hopefully he will have a better one next year as I am sure so will Rossi.

Answer 8

He is certainly having a bad year.  His team mate is getting the best bike, tires, set up, etc. this year for some reason.  I don't understand it, but there it is.  Rossi is having a similar problem in that he can't get a bike that keeps running.  And, the Ducati's are just faster on the straightaways.  I notice he does much better on the curvy courses.

Answer 9

He was still a champion, no matter how unsuccessful he was. He won 2 races (assen was lucky - think Colin might have had it if he hadnt binned it, but it was an excellent race!) However, he was lucky that Vale had such bad luck and also dropped it at Valencia last year. In my opinion, Toni Elias cost Vale the Championship last year by taking him off at Jerez - but thats racing!

Answer 10

Haydon has gone up in stature this year in many eyes including my own. when he won the title he was basically testing parts for Honda. which makes it even more of a achievement. and when you look at the work he has put into testing this year. I say good luck to the man. he is an excellent ambassador for the sport.