Nicky Hayden
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Nicholas Patrick Hayden (born July 30, 1981 in Owensboro, Kentucky), also known as The Kentucky Kid, is an American professional motorcycle racer who has been racing motorcycles throughout most of his life.
Biography
As a youngster racing others twice his age in CMRA, Hayden would start the race from the back of the starting grid while a family or crew member held his bike upright because he could not touch the ground. Later at age 17, he was racing factory Honda RC45 superbikes while still in high school. Hayden won the Daytona 200 on a Honda superbike in 2002.His first year of MotoGP (2003) saw Hayden finish fifth in the championship points standings, more than enough to take Rookie-of-the-Year honors. In 2005, Hayden finished third in the MotoGP championship points standings behind Marco Melandri and series winner Valentino Rossi. For 2006, Hayden has been charged with spear heading Repsol Honda's championship aspirations. This is evidenced by his seniority in age among the new crop of MotoGP riders and by having the virtue of being the only rider to be have been handed the full 2006 Honda bike during preseason. In many ways, this is the pivotal year of his career as failure to lead Honda and challenge for the championship could see him demoted in Honda's pecking order of young riders.
Hayden has two brothers, Tommy and Roger Lee, both professional motorcycle racers in the AMA, and two sisters, Jenny and Kathleen.
Hayden lists Bubba Shobert, Will Davis, and Lance Armstrong as his personal heroes.
Racing History
MotoGP
- Team(s): Repsol Honda, HRC
- Motorcycle(s): Honda RC211V
- First MotoGP Race: April 6, 2003 - Suzuka - Seventh Place
- First MotoGP Win: July 10, 2005 - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
- First MotoGP Podium: October 5, 2003 - Motegi - Third Place
- Number of MotoGP Wins: 2
- Number of MotoGP Podiums: 15 (excluding wins)
- Highest Championship Position: Third (2005)
AMA Superbike
- Team(s): American Honda, HRC
- Motorcycle(s): Honda RC51, Honda RC45
- First Superbike Race: April 18, 1999 - Willow Springs International Raceway - Twelve Place
- First Superbike Win: June 11, 2000 - Road America
- First Superbike Podium: September 19, 1999 - Pikes Peak International Raceway - Third Place
- Number of Superbike Wins: 17
- Number of Superbike Podiums: 13 (excluding wins)
- Highest Championship Position: First (2002)
AMA 600 Supersport
- Team(s): American Honda, Erion Honda, HyperCycle Suzuki
- Motorcycle(s): Honda CBR600F3, Suzuki GSX-R600
- First 600 Supersport Win: April 26, 1998 - Willow Springs International Raceway
- Number of 600 Supersport Wins: 6
- Highest Championship Position: First (1999)
AMA 750 Superstock
- Team(s): HyperCycle Suzuki
- Motorcycle(s): Suzuki GSX-R750
- First 750 Supersport Win: April 19, 1998 - Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
- Number of 750 Supersport Wins: 5
- Highest Championship Position: Fourth (1998)
AMA Formula Extreme
- Team(s): Erion Honda
- Motorcycle(s): Honda CBR900RR
- First Formula Extreme Win: April 17, 1998 - Willow Springs International Raceway
- Number of Formula Extreme Wins: 7
- Highest Championship Position: Second (1999)
External links
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