Hayden leaving Honda

From Repsol Honda

Nicky Hayden will ride his final race for the Repsol Honda Team at Valencia, Spain, on Oct. 26.

The American star and Honda have enjoyed a decade of racing action together, climbing motorcycling’s highest peak when they conquered the MotoGP World Championship in 2006.

“I’ve been with Honda a long time," Hayden said. "I owe a big thanks to everybody who’s ever worked with me at Honda, from my AMA days to my rookie year in MotoGP, right up to now. I’ve worked with a lot of great people at HRC, Honda and Repsol too. It was always my big dream as a kid to race for this team. It’s something I’ve enjoyed a lot. I want to thank everybody there, all the guys from tire technicians to crew chiefs and all the way up."

Hayden has ridden Hondas since he was a teenager, first as a privateer, when at the age of 18 he won the 1999 US Supersport title aboard a CBR600. The following year he joined forces with American Honda and in 2002 won the US Superbike crown on an RC51. That success propelled "The Kentucky Kid" onto the world scene with the Repsol Honda Team in 2003.

In his first year with the marque’s factory MotoGP squad Hayden won the MotoGP Rookie of the Year award, then built towards that 2006 title triumph, when he snatched motorcycling’s most prestigious title aboard his RC211V during an epic season finale at Valencia.

Hayden has won three MotoGP races for Honda, his all-action style a perfect match for the factory’s super-powerful 990cc RCV. Of course, Hayden, like so many of the USA’s greatest road race stars, grew up racing dirt track, and he has also scored success for Honda on the dirt oval, winning four Grand Nationals on a CRF450 flat tracker.

“We wish to thank Nicky for all he has achieved for Honda both as a rider and a man," said HRC president Masumi Hamane. "Nicky and Honda have shared much success and a few disappointing days but in each case Nicky has always behaved cheerfully and has led the team in a positive way. His warm-hearted character has been much loved by all who have worked with him.

"Nicky raced the 990cc RC211V with great success but since the technical regulations reduced MotoGP engine capacity to 800cc, both Nicky and HRC have tried our best but we have been unable to find the best balance between rider and machine necessary for Nicky to show his full potential, so we have decided to part company at the end of the season."