Date: 22/06/2011
Ducati MotoGP rider Nicky Hayden was teased by
compatriot Colin Edwards over the difference in upgrades he will receive
relative to team-mate Valentino Rossi at Assen this weekend.
MotoGP legend Rossi is to debut a 'new' GP11.1
motorcycle in Holland - combining this year's engine with next year's chassis
and gearbox - as Ducati works frantically to enable the nine-time world
champion to repeat the kind of success he achieved with Honda and Yamaha.
Like Rossi, Hayden has taken a best finish of
third so far this year. Unlike Rossi, the 2006 world champion won’t get the
GP11.1 for Assen and will instead need to ride another three races on the
original GP11.
Officially, that's because Hayden has already 'opened' four of his six allotted engines for this year, but Edwards - team-mate to Rossi at Yamaha from 2005-2007 - couldn’t resist stirring things up a little.
Officially, that's because Hayden has already 'opened' four of his six allotted engines for this year, but Edwards - team-mate to Rossi at Yamaha from 2005-2007 - couldn’t resist stirring things up a little.
"It (the GP11.1) wasn't really an option just yet for
me," said Hayden. "I have to wait a little bit longer. I'm happy to
at least be getting it soon. It's more difficult for me because I've gone
through one extra engine. Just the way it is! Sometimes in life you've got to
wait. Hopefully it will be worth the wait when I get it."
At that point Edwards, sitting alongside Hayden in
Wednesday's pre-event press conference, jumped in, saying "Welcome to
being Valentino's team-mate!" before slapping a straight-faced Hayden on
the back several times.
Hayden will at least have something new to try this weekend,
in the form of a modified chassis.
"It is the 'step two' chassis, after the 'step one' at
Estoril, and is a little bit softer in the front," said Hayden. "I
hope it can help. We need a big step. We'll see what this offers.
"It's clear Ducati is working hard to help us, not only
for next year but this year as well. Hopefully we can pay them back by getting
some results and take a little heat off them."
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