Hayden arrived at the Repsol Honda in 2003 - to accompany Valentino Rossi - after having been proclaimed champion of AMA Superbike. He made debut at the age of just 21 and logically blamed the lack of race experience in such a demanding competition as the WSC for the results. He had to wait for Suzuka, the 13th race of the season, to get his first podium but he soon was on another, in Australia. Now he is established in the category and with the experience that miles give a rider he has already beaten the figures he achieved last year, getting onto the podium twice.

 

When the summer break 2003 arrived Hayden had a total of 57 points, with a fifth position in Sachsenring as his best result. This year he has a haul of 83, with two podiums, a fourth position and three fifth places. His harvest could have been greater if he had not left the GP�s in Italy and Catalunya empty handed. For that reason, he is not really satisfied. "The season has not gone as I would have liked" he admitted before going to the USA to rest.

 

In the second half of the season he wants to open his victory count "Podiums are positive results, but I want more. My bike is going well, I only want to obtain good results and so continue gaining in confidence. I can win a GP this year! We are working hard and I am sure that we will be back even stronger after the holidays�