MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing and showcases the talents of nineteen of the world's top riders. Among them are four Americans: Colin Edwards, Nicky Hayden, John Hopkins and Kenny Roberts Jr. After nine races in the seventeen race series, all but Hopkins are in the "Top Ten" in the points standings. But it is Hayden, 24, of Owensboro, KY who has set a blistering pace toward the Series Championship by posting a phenomenal SEVEN "Top Three" finishes including a win at the Dutch TT on June 24th. His three year MotoGP career has certainly been impressive; being named "Rookie of the Year" while finishing 5th overall in '03, finishing in 3rd place last year and a career total of six wins. His most impressive win came last year at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, CA in the Red Bull US Grand Prix. It was the first time in a decade MotoGP has held a race on American soil and Hayden dominated by starting from the pole and leading the entire race.
For an in-depth look at that race (and a great addition to any racing fan's DVD collection) I highly recommend THE DOCTOR, THE TORNADO & THE KENTUCKY KID.
When you read American sports Doom-and Gloom articles like this or hear the same on Sports Talk radio, just remember this success story from the international sports world and remind those writers and radio hosts about our American MotoGP racers.
The easiest source to keep up to date on the schedule and current standings is SPEED Channel's MotoGP Schedule and Results Page. Or go to the MotoGP Official Website:
The MotoGP Red Bull US Grand Prix returns to Laguna Seca, CA this year on Sunday 7-23-06:
Clickable links to Nicky Hayden's website:
PING!!!
Thought the FReeper bikers would like to see this.
This is the Motorcyclists Rights PING List. FReepmail me if you want on or off this list.
WOOOOHOOOOO!!! GO NICKY!!
Got hubby's plane tickets and his bike reservation -- he'll be there for hopefully a repeat of what he saw last year!! :o)
Only two Americans in the top 50 or so in men's tennis... it's getting ugly out there!
http://www.torino2006.org/ENG/IDF/MDL/MDL_Big.html
Yahh, we just suck at sports. Look how poorly we did at the last olympics.
But what the author seems to fail to realize, is that though we aren't "winning" everything, we do have a tendency to be major players in most all sports.
The author is just another of the hate America crowd.
In NASCAR, a lot of people hate Jeff Gordon. But no honest fan or any driver on the track ever discounts him from a race.
In baseball the Chicago Cubs have a tendecy to be pathetic losers. Oh forget that analogy.
The point I'm trying to make is that an honest person would view the US sports achievements, not by our so called failures, but by our many successes.
This author obviously isn't honest.
Could you please add " AP: " at the beginning of this post's title. I found it at Yahoo News but going back I saw the AP symbol and would like it properly credited.
Fantastic post :)
Go Nicky!
Hayden returns to U.S. with MotoGP lead
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060719/ap_on_sp_au_ra_ne/car_the_kentucky_kid;_ylt=Amg0Ei9fpA_5GSuqkasPMXILMxIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA0cDJlYmhvBHNlYwM
US 2006 Moto GP Results!
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1671119/posts?page=2