Owensboro Living
Subscribe
  • Features
  • Culture
  • Lifestyle
  • Flavor
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Owensboro Living
  • Features
  • Culture
  • Lifestyle
  • Flavor
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Owensboro Living
No Result
View All Result
Home The Buzz People

Nicky Hayden Inducted into MotoGP Hall of Fame

by Owensboro Living
November 4, 2015
in People, The Buzz
0
0
Nicky Hayden Inducted into MotoGP Hall of Fame
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

After 13 years in the MotoGP World Championship series, Owensboro’s Nicky Hayden recently announced that this will be his last season racing MotoGP.

This week, MotoGP will be giving Nicky an unbelievably nice going-away present: Nicky will be crowned a MotoGP “Legend” in a ceremony Friday in Valencia, Spain during the final round of the 2015 MotoGP racing season.

The honor is MotoGP’s version of the Hall of Fame, and it truly is an elite group of the world’s all-time best. Nicky will be the 22nd person to ever be named a Legend, and only the sixth American.  It also makes an excellent last chapter of an illustrious MotoGP career that includes 28 podiums (3 wins), seven fastest laps, five pole positions, and the 2006 World Championship Title.

“This is quite a unique honor,” Nicky told Owensboro Living this week during a quick trip home. “It’s something I never thought much about or ever thought would be possible.  But it really is an honor and it’s something I’m very proud of.”

After weighing his options for next year, Hayden decided to leave MotoGP at the end of this season for World Superbike, where he will ride for the Ten Kate Honda team. Testing for World Superbike begins next week in Spain.  Continuing to race for Honda was a key factor in that decision.  “Things just fell into place for me with them,” he said.

Hayden sounds excited for next year. “I look forward to the opportunity.  I’ve always been a fan of Superbike.  Those are the bikes I grew up riding.” (Editor’s note: Nicky is the 2002 American Motorcylist Association Superbike Champion, before moving to MotoGP. Read more of his backstory here.)

Compared to MotoGP, motorcycles in the Superbike division are production bikes, meaning they start out with the same engine and chassis as a bike at a dealership.  “The crowds in World Superbike are smaller and there might be less prestige, but it’s still very popular in Europe and other parts of the world,” Hayden said. The series shares a lot of the same tracks at MotoGP, which is a good thing for Hayden, but there are a few different tracks too – enough to keep things exciting.  The 2016 schedule hasn’t been finalized, but it starts in Australia, then Thailand, and then Europe. The series also races once in America, on one of Hayden’s favorite tracks: Laguna Seca, California.

Even more good news: Honda is introducing a new bike in 2017, which could also play out nicely for Hayden.

“Nobody has won both MotoGP and World Superbike titles, so my goal is to be the first to win both,“ Nicky said, staying true to his trademark competitive nature.

It’s clear to see that Nicky still has a lot of racing left in him.  If that attitude is any indication, it will still be a long time before he hangs up his racing boots for good – which may be never.

I’m getting a bit older but I still enjoy the sport and the game. It’ll be a fresh challenge and a new opportunity to go and have some more fun. Of course I’ll miss MotoGP. I’ve had a great opportunity here and been part of some great teams and worked with some great people, but nothing lasts forever and we gotta keep moving, go to World Superbike with Honda and hopefully have some fun.

– excerpt from press conference announcing his departure to the media

 

Next Post
Distinguished Teacher Award

Distinguished Teacher Award

Kentucky Mavericks Hold Free Agent Camp and Dance Team Tryouts

Kentucky Mavericks Hold Free Agent Camp and Dance Team Tryouts

Second Annual DCPL Music Fair

FEATURED POST

The Pathway to Growth

March 1, 2023
Independence Bank Breaks Ground on Operations Center

Independence Bank Breaks Ground on Operations Center

July 12, 2016
Jeff and Sherrie Harris's white gothic farmhouse makes for a unique centerpiece in Daviess County.

Gothic Farmhouse

August 13, 2019

40 Years of Service to Daviess County

March 1, 2023

EDITOR PICK'S

100 Years of Owensboro Gardening

March 1, 2023

Serving Up Community Spirit 

March 1, 2023

What We’re Eating Now

March 1, 2023

Enhancing Dishes with Puff Pastry

March 1, 2023

Beware of Senior Scams

March 1, 2023

Head West for a Family Trip

March 1, 2023

9 Ways to Get Fit While Gardening

March 1, 2023

STAY CONNECTED

  • 1.7k Followers
  • 2.4k Followers
Facebook Twitter Youtube

Category

  • Culture
  • Events
  • Features
  • Flavor
  • From the Desk of
  • Lifestyle
  • People
  • Places
  • Senior Living
  • The Arts
  • The Buzz
  • The Dish
  • The Last Word
  • The Pulse
  • The Scene
  • The Style

Owensboro Living

2624a New Hartford Rd
Owensboro, KY
270-297-1600

About Us

OwensboroLiving.com is the companion to the bi-monthly FREE magazine, Owensboro Living magazine. Here, get news on your phone, tablet, or computer. No subscription is necessary!

Copyright © 2022 Owensboro Living Magazine, a Tanner Publishing Magazine. All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • The Buzz
  • Features
  • The Pulse
  • The Dish
  • The Style
  • The Scene
  • Contact

Copyright © 2022 Owensboro Living Magazine, a Tanner Publishing Magazine. All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In