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SBK, Hayden resigned: "Another frustrating day"

A DNF for the American Honda rider: "we've thrown away yet another opportunity". Bradl tenth across the line: "the morning's crash caused me to lose confidence"

SBK: Hayden resigned: "Another frustrating day"

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The Red Bull Honda Superbike team's season doesn't want to take off. At the Imola track it was a technical problem that clipped Nicky Hayden's wings today, forced to retire after just five laps.

The American started from the fifth row in thirteenth place, and was defending himself in the positions lower down the points zone when his Fireblade simply stopped working: “an electronic problem put paid to my race - said a frustrated Nicky- as if the crash in third practice wasn't enough. It's a real shame - we've thrown away another opportunity to build experience with the Fireblade SP2”.

How was the feeling in the race?

I had more or less the same sensations as Assen; Imola is definitely not the track that best suits our bike, but we had chance to build confidence and cover some more useful miles. Instead, I find myself suffering another DNF. Each time there's something that doesn't go right”.

How will you react?

We just have to work, that's what we need to do. I know that we can't turn things around overnight and that both me and the team need time, a race weekend isn't enough. It's not a simple situation, finding myself playing the part of spectator”.

With Hayden out, it was down to Stefan Bradl to bring something home for team Ten Kate: a tenth place isn't exactly something to tear your hair out over, but at least the former Moto2 champion has moved up in the standings: “getting into Superpole 2 was positive after the morning's crash - said Stefan- but in the race it wasn't easy, it's my first ever race at Imola and the crash in the morning caused me to lose some confidence, and I made some mistakes as a result”.

The tenacious German reacted though: “at a certain point, i realised that my riding style wasn't the best for this track - I was having problems braking but, after being passed by Ramos, I got into a better rhythm. I've learned a lot at Imola today and enjoyed the track and the crowd. It was a challenge and i hope to do better tomorrow”.

 

Translated by Heather Watson
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