Nicky Hayden improvement in MotoGP

Besides not finishing the first race Nicky Hayden has placed int the top ten in every race.  The last race he was in the top five with chances to do the same the two previous races.  Heck the last two races he has been in 3rd with just a few laps to go but couldn't hold on.

I was happy when he became AMA superbike champion on his RC51 and I can see he is getting closer to riding at that level again...although he is most likely riding better now just doesn't seem like it because of the competition, ie Rossi and Gibernoua.  He has been giving himself chances for the podium but just can't get over the edge.  

Do you think he will find the extra he needs or crack under the pressure?  I for one hope he can do it.  

It is reputed that Hayden does not possess the greatest skill in terms of development and bike setup. This rumored Achilles heel probably does him no favors at the GP level.

I highly doubt he will ever win a GP title while Gibernau, Rossi and Melandri are in the game. It would be interesting to compare Hopkins and Nicky Hayden if they had the same bike.  

I defenetly agree he is doing much better than last year. Unfortunately, the real good stuff is between Rossi and Gibernau (/\ mentioned in posts before). I heard that Rossi's contract expires in 2007 and that it has been rumored he will be going to Formula 1 series (spotted tested Ferrari F1 cars). Perhaps this will allow for more MotoGP riders like Hayden, John Hopkins, and even Melandri the opportunity to show their skills even more if Rossi isn't in the spotlight. Personally speaking, if he breaks his record of winning the most races in a season, I think its time already for him to leave.  

Unfortunately Nicky will be gone at the end of this year.  He simply hasn't delivered and Honda won't tolerate it.  He'll be back in AMA Superbike next year.  Will Rossi be riding RED next year?  Do not count on that either.  Honda is too subborn to bring him back.  

I really sincerely cannot believe that he is leaving MotoGP for good since he barely got his foot in the door. I think with Honda he deserves another chance especially when he has Biaggi riding with him as a teammate. I think he's already had to put up enough with him in his earlier days and that hes proved alot. Plus, why would anyone want to see yet another Hayden brother dominating the AMAs? I think Tommy and Roger have that series set, unless they are upset by a Yamaha - shod biker (possibly Disalvo).  

I would like to see him have the chance to stay next year to try to compete but I would not mind it if he came back to Superbike in the states.  I think he could be more competitive here and on the right bike give Mladin a run for his money.  

I believe Nicky Hayden's contract with HRC runs through 2006- so he should be staying put at Honda.

Only question is which Honda team he will be on- the "official" Repsol HRC factory team or one of the "satellite" but still "factory" teams.

I think the riders that have to worry about their jobs at HRC are:

Troy Bayliss (36)
Alex Barros (34)
Max Biaggi (34)

How long did eventual 5-time world champion, Mick Doohan, take before he became a championship contender? Let's see- started 500GP back in `89. First full year in 1990. Did not become champion until 1994. Stayed champion until 1999.

Or for that matter, how long has it taken Gibernau to get up there as a consistent front runner.

Nicky is still fairly new to MotoGP.  I think 4 - 5 years is not a unreasonable time frame to develop a rider into a consistent front runner. Whether he has what it takes to win a championship, especially with the likes of Rossi and Gibernau still at the top of their game and Marco Melandri a rising star- is another story. Only time will tell.  

I think your missing the big picture here. Nicky's contract is through 2006 and Rossi left Honda, Honda didn't leave Rossi. Nicky will defintely be on the HRC team next year but Max wont.  

Biaggi hasn't accomplished much this year aside from a very few podium finishes. I think that if Rossi does leave the series in 07 Gibernau will probably just step into Rossis place, and his only threat will be Melandri. Think about the past few GPs this season; most of them have become a duel between Gibernau and Rossi, not to mention they have about a 5 second + margin over the rest of the field. I say get Rossi out of there considering all that hes won this year and lets see what some of these younger guys can do, like Melandri, Nakano, and Hayden. I quote from an interview in Sport Rider with Burgess (Rossis chief mechanic I believe) that there are to many riders who have accomplished little and don't deserve to be in MotoGP. Case in point, Barros, Roberts, Checa, even Edwards needs to step up his game.  

After this weekend's round @ Assen, Netherlands, Rossi did win, followed by Melandri an Edwards. Nicky Hayden finished a very respectable 4th place, surely helping him in the points standings. Max Biaggi did well, but apparently was fined a hefty sum for his actions against Melandri during the qualifying session.