Home Win - Hayden extends lead

30 November -0001

0Comments | Comment on this Article

Nicky Hayden won his home Grand Prix with a victory that extended his lead at the top of the standings to 34 points, Hayden finished in 45 minutes 4.867 seconds a massive 3.186 seconds ahead of Pedrosa.

Dani Pedrosa, moved to second in the standings, and Italian Marco Melandri took second and third places resectively at California's Laguna Seca.

Current champion Valentino Rossi retired from fifth place with engine failure two laps from the end, dropping to fourth overall.

Hayden, who also won the race last season, said the win was one of the highlights of his career.

Telling the press after his victory Hayden said I think this feels better than last year, if that's possible,

Hayden admited he had taken advice from big brother who told him to go to the outside, a tactic that worked perfectly into turn one allowing him to pick up a few places.

Then he followed a 'chip away' tactic which helped conserve his tyres in a fast pace opening to the race. Hayden was very complimentary of his team saying My team worked so hard this weekend and it was so hot out there so it pays to be fit.

Yamaha's defending champion Rossi admitted his title was all but lost saying after his disapointing retirement - "Now we're 51 points down on Hayden with only six races left, so for the first time I will race for the rest of the season without thinking about the pressure of the championship.

"But my plan is to have a lot of fun over the remaining races and try to win as many as possible, and then who knows what might happen."

US MotoGP race times:

MotoGP driver standings:

0Comments | Be the first to comment!