MotoGP: Nicky Hayden - Casey Stoner's confidence makes him hard to beat

Reigning MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden reckons Casey Stoner’s confidence is so high it will be tough for Valentino Rossi to overhaul the factory Ducati in the 2007 MotoGP world championship title fight. 

Nicky Hayden is well aware of the second half surge Valentino Rossi is capable of mounting, having come under intense pressure himself a year ago as the Italian clawed back over 50 points in just six races after the summer break.

Valentino Rossi needs a repeat in 2007 to try and overhaul a massive 44-point deficit against the impressive Stoner, who has been in brilliant form all season with six victories in his first season on board Ducati’s factory GP7.

Nicky Hayden said: “You make your own luck but he’s got that momentum going. You know confidence and momentum in this game will make anybody dangerous.

“He’s just pushing hard. He’s on the edge, pushing, pushing, pushing and it’s working for him.

“He’s done a really good job and I think that package just really suits him right now.

“Casey got on that bike and just clicked with it, clicked with the team, the bike and the tyres. And obviously he’s not making the mistakes that he made last year.

“He just kind of got that ball rolling, got the confidence and just took off with it.”