• Peg It on GarageMonkey
MOTO2: Hayden’s Second Time Running #34
Roger Hayden noted that this won't be the first time he's run #34 in honor of Kevin Schwantz.
Chris Martin  |  Posted July 23, 2010   Monterey, CA
American Honda's Moriwaki MD600 Moto2 racer (Photo: Brian J Nelson)

PROGRAMMING NOTE: MotoGP qualifying from Laguna Seca will air on SPEED Saturday, July 24, and the race will air LIVE on SPEED on Sunday, July 25.

Pedercini Kawasaki World Superbike regular Roger Hayden recently tested the American Honda MD600 Moto2 racer he'll compete aboard at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.

The test took place in 117-degree heat at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway, and despite the grueling conditions (with track temperatures reportedly reaching a scorching 170-degree track temperatures), Hayden was said to have logged times in line with those posted during recent AMA Superbike testing at the venue.

"I really like it," said Hayden, who is also standing in for Randy de Puniet for the LCR Honda MotoGP team this weekend. "It's a fun bike -- it handles really good. It's a lot smaller than what I'm used to riding. It's a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to Indy.

The Kentuckian will be plenty busy traveling in the near future, flying back to Europe to resume his full-time WSBK gig before returning to the States to test the bike again at Barber Motorsports Park prior to the Indy GP.

"I feel really fortunate to have these opportunities, riding the MotoGP bike and to get to ride the Moto2 bike, and ride for one of your heroes growing up," Hayden added. "And American Honda has probably won the most championships in all of racing. For me, it's what you dream of as a kid. It is a lot of traveling but it's worth it in the end."

Commenting on running the famed #34, Hayden said, "This is actually the second time me and Kevin have teamed up. When I was running flat track, when me and my brothers got the podium, he sponsored me and I ran #34. That was my best flat track finish so hopefully it carries on."
cmartin's avatar

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chris Martin

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR
Advertising | Jobs | Feedback | FAQ | Terms of Use | NEW Privacy Policy | Ad Choices | Site Map
Fox Sports | FUEL TV | FX Network | National Geographic | IGN | AskMen
The Motor Sports Authority, SPEED and associated logos are registered trademarks of Speed Channel Inc.
All Rights Reserved © Speed Channel, Inc. 2013

All external links will open in a new browser window. SPEED.com does not endorse external sites.