Misano MotoGP Reaction: Honda hopeful on Nicky Hayden fitness

Honda bosses have said they are confident Nicky Hayden will be fit to ride in his home race in Indianapolis after he was forced to miss yesterday’s Misano GP through injury.

The worsening pain of the cracked heel the Kentucky rider suffered in an X Games Supermoto practice crash on August 1 was too severe for Hayden to risk riding in the 28-lap clash.

Not wanting to risk damaging his prospects of competing in the first ever Indianapolis race on September 14, Hayden withdrew and HRC Managing Director Kosuke Yasutake said: “Nicky really wanted to race. He had a very difficult two days of practice, with a lot of pain, but most crucially it is very likely that riding with this injury will only aggravate the damage to his right heel and maybe cause him big problems at the next few races.

“He had already considered withdrawing several times over the weekend because he understood the situation. He was determined to race, but ultimately he decided not to race in order to be stronger for the next races. Of course, we fully support him in this decision. We are sure he will be stronger in Indianapolis.”