Australia MotoGP: Nicky Hayden suffers more first lap misery

Nicky Hayden counted himself lucky after he avoided a high-speed crash following his first corner clash with Jorge Lorenzo at Phillip Island.

Having been struck from behind by Lorenzo’s Fiat Yamaha, Hayden somehow kept control of his factory Ducati GP9 as he want careering through the gravel trap at over 120mph.

The incident though wrecked the American’s race and he recovered to finish a lap down in 15th place.

Dismayed at being the innocent victim of a first lap incident for the third time in 2009, the Kentucky rider said: “I got probably the best start I have had all season but unfortunately it proved to be my downfall!

I’m not sure what happened to Jorge – I saw he got a bad start as I passed him, then the next thing I know I felt a really hard impact.

“It was so hard it tore both our bikes up and obviously he couldn’t keep his upright.

“Thankfully I did and I got back on track but the thing was so damaged I was just riding around.”

Hayden, who was also taken on the first lap at the Twin Ring Motegi and Misano earlier this season, added: “I considered coming in to conserve the engine but there was always the chance it might rain and give us the opportunity to swap bikes so we stayed out there and tried to stay out of harm’s way.

“I’m disappointed because I felt we had a chance to do something here and apart from anything I was excited to race here because it’s always so much fun.

“Anyway, I can’t blame Jorge because he is fighting for the championship, he obviously didn’t mean it and I know it is not his style.

“The good thing is that I didn’t get hurt, which could have easily happened in that corner, and now we go to Malaysia and try to get back in the thick end of the points.”