A Quick Chat With…Nicky Hayden. Dubai, UAE

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You became MotoGP Champion in 2006…

“Oh yeah, I really enjoyed that year! The bike was good, the [Honda] team was great and everything just came together for me. But you know what? That was the last time I won a race too, and it’s been a while! So I really want to end that dry spell. But just sitting here and talking about it isn’t going to get it done. I got to get it done on the track.”

Do you have another Championship challenge in you…?

“I think at the moment I need to concentrate on getting that next win before I can think about another Championship. But hey, another one would be good!”

Reigning MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner dropped a bombshell recently, announcing he would retire at the end of this year. How much will his absence affect the sport, do you think?

“Casey is clearly the guy to beat at the moment, so in that respect it’s going to be a big change. But it’s hard to say. There’s always the next guy ready to step up to the plate and take his spot. Y’know, the next big thing maybe? That could be exciting.”

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At this point, our delightful PR rep Michelle asks if I’d mind awfully wrapping things up, hand on my shirt sleeve just in case I choose not to acquiesce.

Okay, one last question…

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Whilst you’ve been at Ducati, your team-mates have included among others Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner. You couldn’t get bigger pressure than that…!

“Actually I’ve enjoyed my time with both of them. Definitely. Plus I’ve learnt a lot from them too, especially Valentino. I mean, a seven-time MotoGP Champion. How can you not? But it was always nice to beat them too. That usually helped me sleep on Sunday nights!”

Shots courtesy of nickyhayden.com and motogp.com