2006 Nicky Hayden vs Valentino Rossi
I sincerely welcome you to the final part of this series. I hope you are ready, because I am going to cover the single greatest championship ending in the MotoGP era. This time we go waaay back, to 2006, High School Musical just came out, Kobe scored 81 and the U.S. Supreme Court rules that President George W. Bush’s plan to try Guantanamo Bay detainees in military tribunals violates U.S. and international law, so there’s that. What we should focus on is the 29th of October this year, when the Valencia crowd had gathered to watch Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden.
Just a quick mention, Valentino Rossi was on THE MOST beautiful bike the asphalt has seen (in my opinion). Just to be clear, Nicky brought the swagger too, he was seen wearing an Oakley sunglass, that had Bluetooth connected earplugs, can it get any more 2006 than this?
Rossi started from pole with 244 points, whereas Hayden had 236 points under his belt and the 5th starting position. So, let us enjoy the last 30 laps of madness of this series.
Rossi took a terrible start, funny enough he rubbed elbows with Nicky. By the first corner (which we are very familiar with at this point) he was behind Hayden who kept his 5th position. Few laps in it was clear, Rossi was struggling, while #69 was getting away, mind you, the 8 points of difference is no more and every move could alter the title’s rightful owner. With every position gained or lost 129 446 in attendance including the one and only Michael Jordan did the math. Quick side note: The camera angle under the clutch lever is badass, watching these guys shift… moves something in me, kinda sad that the quick shifter killed it.
And there it was … someone made a mistake, a crucial one at that. If you remember how to operate a manual choke you already know who I am talking about, but let’s keep the suspense up for the younger generation. Valentino Rossi had slipped in the sharp second corner bruising up that beautiful Camel paintjob on the left side. Everyone can picture the face Lin Jarvis made, so please do so to make this moment even more bitter.
Such a big moment, immense pressure, and The Doctor couldn’t handle it. This three-part series opened my eyes on how the biggest legends have to endure the biggest let-downs. Maybe this is what mends them to have an unbreakable personality. This was showcased in this race when he crossed the straight, p19, all alone, and every pit’s crew had their hands up, encouraging Rossi.
The commentators summed up the situation pretty neatly, in the beginning of the race they said Nicky Hayden can’t win the championship, Valentino Rossi can only lose it. After 15 laps this sentence was changed to: Valentino Rossi can’t win the championship, Nicky Hayden can only lose it.
Troy Bayliss won as a wildcard (that year’s WSBK champ), Loris Capirossi 2nd, Hayden 3rd, while Rossi’s heroic efforts where only enough for 13th. Hayden brought Kentucky the championship by 5 point altogether. After the race the most heartfelt moment occurred, when Nicky broke down crying with the American flag on his shoulder.
The picture cemented itself in the MotoGP hall of fame. Every time I see this picture I am reminded how much a crew suffer from the mechanics and the engineers to the riders, but still endure to achieve this, to engrave a name on the trophy.
Godspeed Kentucky Kid, you will never be forgotten
BME Veloce Corse 