Nicky Hayden hoping to end Honda career in style

American Nicky Hayden has admitted he would love to end his Honda career in style this weekend, with the 27-year-old poised for his last appearance for the Japanese factory in Valencia this weekend.

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Hayden, who will immediately begin testing for his new Ducati squad immediately after this weekend’s race, bows out at Honda after 99 premier class appearances, during which he won three times and the 2006 world championship.

The Kentucky star, who finished fourth in last weekend’s Sepang GP in Malaysia, said it would be an emotional farewell in Spain on Sunday.

“I got one more try at ‘em! I really love Valencia and I love the atmosphere, it’s always special to race in front of a Spanish crowd. I don’t want to sound soft but it will be an emotional weekend. This team has been family the last six years – I was 21 years old when I showed up in Europe from Kentucky! 

“We’ve had a good run together. I’m really grateful for the opportunity Honda gave me. Not a lot of people can say they rode factory Hondas for nine years. From the RC51 on, I’ve ridden some of the baddest bikes ever and worked with some great engineers.”

Hayden won his ’06 world title at Valencia in a dramatic final round shootout with Yamaha rival Valentino Rossi and he added: “We’ll be hoping we can go out strong. Valencia has got a special place in my heart for obvious reasons.

“I like the way they built the track inside a natural bowl. I like big, fast, flowing tracks too, but I like how Valencia is all right there, you really feel the energy. It’s the last race of the year, so everyone goes all out

“On the map it looks like a go-kart track but it doesn’t feel like that riding it. You need a bike that gets round corners better than it goes in a straight line and you’ve got to be aggressive.”