Repsol took a narrow win in the 2009 US GP

The Repsol Honda rider took a narrow win in the 2009 Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca over Fiat Yamahas Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.

At the start of the 32-lap race, the young Spaniard managed to get the holeshot despite starting from the second row, followed by Marlboro Ducati’s Casey Stoner, Rossi, Pedrosa’s Honda teammate Andrea Dovizioso and Lorenzo. American riders Nick Hayden and Colin Edwards weren't far behind in the sixth and seventh slots.

As the riders funneled into the Corkscrew, Rossi would dive-bomb inside of Stoner to take over second place. However, a few laps later Stoner retaliated with an inside pass going into the ultra-fast Turn 1. Behind him, the racing action got dicey, as Dovizioso hit the front brakes too hard coming into Turn 5 and crashed his Respol Honda on Lap 6. Luckily, Dovi was unhurt. One lap later, Sete Gibernau crashed his satellite Honda in Turn 11 with a little too much front brake.

Up front, Pedrosa continued to creep away from the field with a string of fast laps in the 1:22-range. Rossi would retake second position over Stoner and made the pass stick as the Marlboro Ducati rider's pace began to lag. On Lap 11, Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s James Toseland got black flagged for allegedly jumping the start, thereby ending his race.

By midpoint , Pedrosa would be the first rider to break into the 1:21s, with the young Spaniard carrying a three-second gap over Rossi. As Stoner’s pace slowed, Lorenzo was able to move into the third-position. Meanwhile, American rider Nicky Hayden had muscled up to fifth, 11 seconds behind the leader.

With two-thirds of the race completed, Lorenzo was the second racer to break into the 1:21 range, as the injured rider tried to track down his teammate. With five laps to go, Gorgeous Jorge was within striking distance of Rossi and dove underneath the Italian in a daring move into Turn 11, but the 22-year-old ran wide on the exit, handing the position back to Rossi. The daring move killed the Spaniard's drive onto the front straightaway and Rossi immediately opened-up a one second gap. The next lap Rossi immediately upped his pace and also dropped into the 21s, ending Lorenzo’s chances of catching up.

By the final lap, Pedrosa was within Rossi's clutches. The Championship Points leader attempted to make an inside pass on the last turn but was simply too far away to make it happen. The two would motor down the straightaway with Pedrosa winning by three-hundredths of a second.

“I was able to make up time at the end,” Rossi said after the race. “I made some changes after the morning on the front end and they didn’t work so well. Once the fuel was able to come down and the tires to slide some I was much better and I was able to push and catch Dani. I was very close at the end in the last corner but a pass was not possible, too dangerous.”

Lorenzo would secure the final podium position, which is astounding considering his recent injury. Fourth would go to Stoner some 10-seconds back of the winner, with Hayden crossing the line another 10 seconds behind him in fifth, making the home-race a season-best for the American.

“It’s hard for me to say that I’m happy with fifth place being a two-time winner here, but honestly I’m pretty happy,” said the Kentucky Kid with his trademark million-dollar smile. “In the race I was able to get a decent start, but I really wish I could have got by Toni (Elias) earlier and try to get in that front group. I think I could have kept them in sight a little bit. They weren’t a lot faster than me. But, again, by far my best qualifying and my best race. I’m happy and I feel like we’re really slowly making some progress. We’ve come a long way with the guys on some settings and the electronics and I really hope we can keep it going.”

Edwards would collect a seventh place finish, behind San Carlo Honda Gresini's Toni Elias. Rizla Suzuki’s Chris Vermeulen finished eighth.

Marlboro Ducatis Nick Hayden finished fifth at Laguna some 15 seconds behind winner Pedrosa.

Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix MotoGP Race Results:
1. Dani Pedrosa (Honda) 44:01.580
2. Valentino Rossi (Yamaha) +0.344
3. Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) +1.926
4. Casey Stoner (Ducati) +12.432
5. Nick Hayden (Ducati) +21.663
6. Toni Elias (Honda) +22.041
7. Colin Edwards (Yamaha) +30.201
8. Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki) +32.857
9. Randy De Puniet (Honda) +40.325
10. Marco Melandri (Kawasaki) +48.028
11. Alex De Angelis (Honda) +48.810
12. Niccolo Canepa (Ducati) +78.531
DNF. Andrea Dovizioso (Honda)
DNF. Sete Gibernau (Ducati)
DNF. Loris Capirossi (Suzuki)
DNF. Gabor Talmacsi (Honda)
Excluded. James Toseland (Yamaha)

Nicky Hayden's Profile

• Bike No.: 69
• Born: July 30, 1981
• Birth place: Owensboro, Kentucky
• Nationality: United States
• Residence: Owensboro, Kentucky
• Team: Ducati Marlboro Team
• World Superbike Debut: 2002
• Grand Prix Debut: 2003

Background

Nicky Hayden was the young gun of the AMA Superbike series. Don't think for a minute that this good natured, always smiling kid from Kentucky doesnt have the heart of a winner. Winning is what Nicky is all about. Check out the Nicky Hayden Interview for a look inside the mind of Americas rising star. In his first full season as a Superbike rider he came within six points of winning the title losing out to arch rival Mat Mladin. 1999 was a great year for him though, he won the 600 Supersport title and was named AMA Athlete of the Year. Nicky is one of three Hayden brothers racing in the AMA and growing up together they pushed one another to become fierce competitors. Nicky does not neglect his roots either he can often be found racing Flat Track during weekends which the AMA series is off. Thats dedication.

After three seasons in MotoGP, Nicky picked up his first career win at the USGP at Laguna Seca. In front of his hometown fans Nicky dominated, led every lap and won the hearts of many a GP fan across the globe.

For 2006 the Kentucky Kid did one better, he claimed the checkers at Laguna again, but also netted the MotoGP title. To earn the championship, Hayden exhibited consistency and determination, overcoming a devastating DNF at Estoril, courtesy of his Repsol Honda team mate, Dani Pedrosa.

Going into 2007, the reigning champ had a new 800cc V-4 RC212V at his command. He also had a two-year contract with the factory Honda team, but Nick the Quick was under the gun to deliver another title and couldn't deliver. Now Hayden is ready for yet another year aboard the Honda, but can he regain his title-winning form?

Career Highlights:

• 2007: 8th MotoGP
• 2006: MotoGP Champion
• 2005: 3rd MotoGP
• 2004: 8th MotoGP
• 2003: 5th MotoGP
• 2003: MotoGP Rookie of the Year
• 2002: AMA Superbike Champion
• 2001: 3rd AMA Superbike
• 2000: 2nd AMA Superbike
• 2000: 4th AMA Supersport
• 1999: AMA Supersport Champion
• 1999: 2nd AMA Formula Xtreme
• 1999: AMA Grand National Dirt Track Rookie of the Year
• 1999: AMA/Speedvision Pro Athlete of the Year
• 1998: 4th AMA 600 SuperSport Series
• 1998: 4th AMA 750 SuperSport Series