It apparently just took the right track on the right day, and Laguna Seca was not only the site of the first Grand
Prix motorcycle race in the US in 11 years but also the place where 23-year-old Nicki Hayden won his first MotoGP race
by riding his Honda RC211V to a 2-second margin of victory. Just as impressive was Colin Edwards’ performance, where he
barely beat fellow Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi for the first time by capturing 2nd place (Edwards pulled this off
with a wicked pass in the Corkscrew, of all places!). This put two Americans on the GP podium in, well, a long time.
Both Hayden and Edwards have struggled since entering GP racing, finding that the level of competition and the cycles
themselves are much more severe than production-based Superbike racing. Rossi maintains what looks to be a nearly
insurmountable lead in the season points battle, but there’s a fight shaping up from 2nd place all the way through
7th.
Nicki Hayden wins his first MotoGP race at Laguna Seca
It apparently just took the right track on the right day, and Laguna Seca was not only the site of the first Grand Prix motorcycle race in the US in 11 years but also the place where 23-year-old Nicki Hayden won his first MotoGP race by riding his Honda RC211V to a 2-second margin of victory. Just as impressive was Colin Edwards’ performance, where he barely beat fellow Yamaha teammate Valentino Rossi for the first time by capturing 2nd place (Edwards pulled this off with a wicked pass in the Corkscrew, of all places!). This put two Americans on the GP podium in, well, a long time. Both Hayden and Edwards have struggled since entering GP racing, finding that the level of competition and the cycles themselves are much more severe than production-based Superbike racing. Rossi maintains what looks to be a nearly insurmountable lead in the season points battle, but there’s a fight shaping up from 2nd place all the way through 7th.