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MotoGP
MOTOGP: Hayden Feels Pain, Sees Potential
Nicky Hayden missed a golden podium opportunity due to his injured hand but was excited to see Ducati show renewed potential at Misano.
Ducati Team's Nicky Hayden (Photo: Ducati Corse)
Nursing a still broken right hand, Nicky Hayden could only ponder what might have been after enduring a painful San Marino Grand Prix.
He finished a brave seventh but it was the sparkling performance of his Ducati teammate, Valentino Rossi, to finish second that really caught his eye.
Rossi's GP12 had been upgraded with a revised chassis and swing arm specification following two days of successful private testing at Misano.
It was only Rossi's third podium in 31 starts since joining Ducati with the failed marriage still to produce a race win.
Two of the podiums have come this season -- both second places -- at Le Mans in the wet and Misano on a dry track.
But the revised chassis, featuring geometry and stiffness changes, appears to be a positive sign for the troubled Ducati program. Rossi reported more precise turn-in and improved rear tire wear and stability.
While Rossi is returning to Yamaha next year, Hayden has again signed with the red team for 2013 with the Misano result providing some indication that bike development could finally be on an upward swing.
"But it also makes it a bit tough because I have been quite competitive with Valentino all year. So if I had been able to come here and test last week with the new bike it would have been a huge edge," Hayden said.
"Any time you can test helps and Ducati made smart move testing here before the race.
"With the way the weather was and lack of track time for everyone I don't see why I could not have been in that fight with him.
"With Casey (Stoner) out and Dani on the ground it definitely opened up a couple places on the podium."
He finished a brave seventh but it was the sparkling performance of his Ducati teammate, Valentino Rossi, to finish second that really caught his eye.
Rossi's GP12 had been upgraded with a revised chassis and swing arm specification following two days of successful private testing at Misano.
It was only Rossi's third podium in 31 starts since joining Ducati with the failed marriage still to produce a race win.
Two of the podiums have come this season -- both second places -- at Le Mans in the wet and Misano on a dry track.
But the revised chassis, featuring geometry and stiffness changes, appears to be a positive sign for the troubled Ducati program. Rossi reported more precise turn-in and improved rear tire wear and stability.
While Rossi is returning to Yamaha next year, Hayden has again signed with the red team for 2013 with the Misano result providing some indication that bike development could finally be on an upward swing.
"But it also makes it a bit tough because I have been quite competitive with Valentino all year. So if I had been able to come here and test last week with the new bike it would have been a huge edge," Hayden said.
"Any time you can test helps and Ducati made smart move testing here before the race.
"With the way the weather was and lack of track time for everyone I don't see why I could not have been in that fight with him.
"With Casey (Stoner) out and Dani on the ground it definitely opened up a couple places on the podium."
Grand Prix of The France
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