Why has N. Hayden done so poorly since winning the World Championship a couple years ago?

Question

Is his teammate that much better a rider?

Answer 1

While I do think that Nicky kind of "lucked out" in 06 you have to look at the switch to 800's and the different riding style they take. The guys coming up off 250's have better experience with that style.

And not leave out, Dani is Spanish, Repsol is a Spanish company, IMHO, they would like to have Dani as the number one rider (which he basically is now), Nicky was getting stuck developing a bike for Pedrosa instead of himself.

Answer 2

Nicky got really lucky when collin Edwards got into an accident at the very last bend in 06.. Right now he is loosing motivation and is not improving on his consistency that led him win the 06 Moto GP championship. If he wants he will come out strong in Laguna Seca

Answer 3

not hungry like before, takes too much for grated ,and i think he got lucky

Answer 4

Nicky Forrest Gump Hayden has never done particularly well in motogp he just got extremely lucky in 06. He's been on the best team in motogp since 03 and has 3 yes count them 3 wins. 2 at his home track and one a gift at Assen. Every teamate he has had at Repsol Honda has outperformed him, aside from 05 (Biaggi's old ***) and 06 where his rookie teamate scored less points but had the same amount of wins, 2.

Answer 5

Although Moolie usually gives good answers. I disagree with his/her analysis.  the 800 GP bike (Honda) was specifically designed and built for Dani Pedrossa. Honda took the view that GP was going smaller bike, smaller Rider.  Hindsight has proven this not to be the case as the smaller rider can not stop the bike as quickly. (pedrossa getting stuffed on the brakes at every turn) Rossi's yamaha is not the quickest bike out ther but laps quicker than most.

as for Nicky, HRC forced him into GP from AMA before he himself was ready to go. But HRC needed a replacement that could follow Crivillier (sorry for the spelling Alex been a long time. )they were already grooming Dani but needed someone else to develope the bike. thus Nicky was dragged from the AMA to fill the gap. Also, there is no one in GP works harder than Nicky. to say he was lucky to win the Championship is an Ignorant statement (no Offence Moolie) But the saying is true "to finish first -First you have to Finish. remember his team-mate Dani took him out and nearly lost him the championship. I would not call that Lucky. Makes me think of Mika Kallio. ( different class - same story )

I agree that Dani is the Better Rider. but the playing field is not exactly fair.  to sum up - Nicky is a very talented rider who has not really been given a fair shake of the stick. I would like to see him go to Ducati and prove what he is capable of. HRC will never build the bike to suit him. (maybe Ducati wont either ) whats he got to lose ?

Answer 6

DFS sofa's hit it right there. The new 800's are like big 250's, thats why you see Rossi / Soner / Pedrosa-bot and others like them doing so well.

Even Colin Edwards is doing great on the new 800's as he used to ride 250 strokers back in the US.