MCN Letter of the Week
Wed, 28 Jan 2009
Am I the only one heartily sick of all the moaning about Honda's apparent 'abysmal' treatment of Nicky Hayden?
Don't get me wrong, I like Nicky (if like is the right word considering I've never met him) and supported him in the past and will do in the future, but he was NOT badly treated. Certainly no worse than ANY other rider who's team decides not to employ them the following year. After several years together, it must be difficult for a team, but when you believe your best interests are served by switching to a different rider then you have to do it. Has everyone forgotten how Ducati DUMPED Bayliss after only a few lacklustre seasons in MotoGP and there are countless other examples of similar 'abysmal' treatment of riders. Why single out Honda as the 'bad guys'?
In fairness, Nicky had a good run with Honda, taking many years to achieve his best results, longer than many thought a team would be likely to continue with its support, but Honda persevered and eventually success came. But then there was a change of bike and Nicky obviously did not 'gel' with the 800 Honda. This was extremely unfortunate for all concerned, but they didn't do it deliberately.
Every team would love both its riders to be better than all others and stay that way and with the team, forever, but that's not reality.
It is obvious that Honda has many critics, but the truth is, they are just another team, like all others, trying to win. They don't control MotoGP, they don't make the rules, any more than any other team. But, just like other teams, they can and do make mistakes. However, let no one make the mistake of thinking MotoGP doesn't need them. Oh how foolish that would be.
Ken G i l l e t t
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