Honda's golden child certainly lost a few brownie points ..Im still spittin feathers myself has Ive got money riding on Hayden with bets with my mates..:tosser:
Awesome race tho and I thought Ellias was going to return the favour
did you believe KRjnr when he said he tought it was over one lap before it actually was and he thought hed won the race ?? g0551p
heres the oficial interviews after the race...
HARD DAY FOR REPSOL HONDA TEAM AS HAYDEN AND PEDROSA CRASH OUT
Nicky Hayden?s championship chances took a blow today as both Repsol Honda riders ended up in the gravel after a coming together on the 5th lap of the Portuguese Grand Prix. Though obviously very disappointed to have lost his lead in the World Championship, the 25-year-old American star goes to the final round at Valencia still in with a chance of taking the title. He now sits eight points behind Valentino Rossi, who finished in second place today.
From his front row start Hayden was fourth on the first lap before pulling off an amazing move round the outside to take third from Colin Edwards. Pedrosa meanwhile was in second place on the first lap and was looking strong behind Valentino Rossi before losing the place to Edwards who had squeezed back past Hayden. Hayden overtook his team-mate on lap four but on the next lap Pedrosa made a mistake braking into turn six and fell, taking Hayden down with him. Afterwards Pedrosa went to Hayden?s motorhome to apologise and the Repsol Honda riders shook hands. Pedrosa suffered a small fracture in the little finger on his left hand but should be fit to ride at the next race.
Toni Elias won the race for Fortuna Honda. Hayden was understandably very disappointed but vowed to continue the fight at the final round in Valencia which takes place in two weeks? time on October 29.
Nicky Hayden Position: DNF - Best lap: 1m 38.396s - World Championship position: 2nd ? 236pts
Front tyre: 16.5" Medium compound Michelin
Rear tyre: 16.5" Medium compound Michelin
?I don?t know what to say really ? it just hurts. I had a really hard tyre on for the race, especially for the left handers, and it came in and I couldn?t believe how comfortable I felt in the first few laps. I was a lot faster than Edwards and I?d just made up my mind that I?d pass him right there on the brakes and I felt I could go and see what Valentino had. I don?t expect Dani to pull over and let me by but I definitely didn?t expect him to do that. We?re professionals and Dani did come to my motorhome and talk to me afterwards and we shook hands. I?ve proved this weekend that I wasn?t going to give up without a fight and even now I believe I?m pretty strong. This was not one of my best tracks and I?ve come here and gone quick ? I was fastest in one session, got on the front row and had a good race pace. I need Dani?s help now because anything could happen in Valencia, so I hope his hand?s ok. I told him there?s a way to make it up to me and that?s if we run one-two in Valencia then the championship?s still possible. It?s racing.?
Dani Pedrosa Position: DNF - Best lap: 1m 38.704s - World Championship position: 5th ? 202pts
Front tyre: 16.5" Medium compound Michelin
Rear tyre: 16.5" Medium compound Michelin
?What can I say? I made a mistake and I?m really sorry. It?s the first time I?ve hit another rider in my career ? it?s never happened before in practice or racing in six years and it?s happened at the worst moment that I could do it. Obviously I?m very unhappy and Nicky is not happy and I just want to apologize because I made a mistake. I said sorry to Nicky and I can understand that he is very upset ? I wish I could change it. I didn?t want to pass him at that moment. I braked and my rear wheel came off the ground and then it touched the ground again, I got a little more speed. I couldn?t stop the bike and there was nowhere to go. I have a fracture in my little finger but we have time for it to be ok for Valencia.?
Makoto Tanaka ? Repsol Honda Team Manager
?This was definitely a very disappointing day for us. But this extraordinary season is not over yet. Obviously our target for the next race at Valencia is for Nicky to win and for Dani to finish second which would give Nicky the riders? championship title.?
Lap Record : Kenny Roberts Jr 1m 37.914s (2006)