Hayden Inducted Into MotoGP Hall of Fame
- Nov 6, 2015
- 2 min read
Nicky Hayden was, today, inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame as an official MotoGP Legend, becoming the twenty-second rider have been given the honour.
Hayden announced his retirement from MotoGP in Japan and will move to World Superbikes next year with the Pata Honda team, where he'll attempt to become the only rider in history to win the Grand Prix and Superbike World Championships.
The Kentucky-born rider made his MotoGP début in 2003, taking to the rostrum on several occasions. Hayden's defining moment came in 2006 when, against the odds, became World Champion for Repsol Honda and bringing Valentino Rossi's reign of dominance to an end.
Hayden's final few years in MotoGP haven't been the easiest, a result of Honda's woeful Open machinery.
In a ceremony, the American stated: “It really is a great honour to receive this. I do not take it lightly, I know there are people in this club with more illustrious careers and who have obviously won more than me, but regardless I got in there! I am very happy. I mean for thirteen years it was eat, breather and sleep MotoGP. It's been an amazing ride. Of course these last two years have been tough, but I've enjoyed every minute of it, worked with some great teams and rode some great bikes.
“I'd just like to thank everybody who has supported me through it all, my teams and my family, I appreciate it all. Thanks also to Carmelo (Ezpeleta, Dorna Sports CEO); I think MotoGP – as much as the last weeks have been a little negative – in ina great place. The sport is bigger and better than ever, the tracks are safer and the young talent keeps getting younger and faster. So the future is very bright.”
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