Anyone know why Hayden and Hoppers don't get along

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(roger-m @ Aug 19 2007, 06:48 PM) [snapback]85735[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
well i heard hayboy got a bit drunk one night and said to hopper "only pooftas have there right ear pierced, aint you ever heard the expression right ear right queer" then he pinched hoppers birds arse and that why they dont get on.
cant remember where i read this

trouble maker!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(an4rew @ Aug 19 2007, 07:15 PM) [snapback]85744[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I'm sure Hopper is still a bit pissed at Hayden taking him out of the US GP.

errmmm.... don't think it was haydens fault. or hoppers.... it was stoner that started the whole chain of events by stuffin up hayden.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eagle088 @ Aug 19 2007, 07:33 PM) [snapback]85750[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I think the media makes too much out of the Hayden Hopper thing.
an attempt to create another rainey-shcwantz type situation?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eagle088 @ Aug 19 2007, 07:33 PM) [snapback]85750[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

His lady of the moment is a bit more permanent than you may think. They are married, I know they said he was engaged this morning in the race, but I assure you they are married.

ashlee... shes a sweetie! maybe hopper will do a casey now that he's married! it did wonders for casey!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Duc999 @ Aug 19 2007, 07:47 PM) [snapback]85757[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Why would you skip to an lesser bike?

don't know about this... check their rider line up.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JohnnyKnockdown @ Aug 19 2007, 09:39 PM) [snapback]85768[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

when he goes home to Laguna (In his home state) he is surrounded by a sea of orange. That has to eat him alive.

plus the fact that his teamate has made him look bad 2 years running....that can't be helpin.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 20 2007, 02:04 PM) [snapback]85931[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
trouble maker!
errmmm.... don't think it was haydens fault. or hoppers.... it was stoner that started the whole chain of events by stuffin up hayden..


This Hayden vs Hopper thing seems like a complete beat-up to me; who says they have to be best friends just because they are American anyway?

I'll take your and Racejumkie's word as to the incident being Stoner's fault if you were there; on the side-on video, as opposed to the head-on video, that I saw it looked like Hopkins and Hayden were much further behind and that Hopper moved across on Hayden without looking. I always thought if you were in front you could pick what line you wanted on the first corner anyway; isn't that why you try to qualify as high as possible?

Hayden is now my second favourite rider and even that at least partially for obvious patriotic reasons, and I now realise that like many others I did not give him enough credit last year. I can't see why he will not be a strong chance of another world championship next year, particularly as I suspect HRC will have a very fast bike and good tyres. I also think the bike he won on last year probably wasn't crash-hot.

hey michaelm really the whole thing was just a race incedent.... but since some want to put blame it was stoner who came inside hayden in the turn pushed him out wide then hopper came in fast under hayden who did'nt see hopper. but that's racing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(frosty58 @ Aug 20 2007, 03:06 PM) [snapback]85941[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
hey michaelm really the whole thing was just a race incedent.... but since some want to put blame it was stoner who came inside hayden in the turn pushed him out wide then hopper came in fast under hayden who did'nt see hopper. but that's racing.


Perhaps the slo-mo video I saw was at a later point.

I am very happy to call it a racing incident, but very disappointing for American fans as they were obviously both strong contenders.

It looks like a dicey corner on TV; I have not been there but hope to in the future as the circuit looks great. I have done the San Francisco to LA route in a car and it is a magnificent part of the world.

Cheers.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Aug 20 2007, 10:24 AM) [snapback]85943[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

It looks like a dicey corner on TV; I have not been there but hope to in the future as the circuit looks great. I have done the San Francisco to LA route in a car and it is a magnificent part of the world.

Cheers.

it is a bit dicey there! yes that part of cali is spectacular! if the opportunity presents itself grab it with both hands & go see the gp at laguna!!! tv dose'nt do it justice.... on all accounts!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Craig3089 @ Aug 20 2007, 11:56 AM) [snapback]85881[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
On the whole hopper to kawasaki thing. hopper is sponsored by monster who sponsor kawasaki usa. monster want to break into the global market like red bull, so i reckon next year they will be title sponsor of kawasaki, which would give them money to run this rumoured third bike. i think monster still want to work with hopper so have offered him a big m,oney deal to front the team. plus hopper is american like monster.

what does anyone else think?


I think that's a pretty good assessment as far as I can tell. I'm not sure about this rumored third bike though. I think that may be entirely a rumor because I can't imagine an extra bike would give them a better shot at championship points or a premier class win. I think people might have assumed that RL Hayden would get boosted into MotoGP to ride for Kawasaki (on the third bike), but if Monster is really making a global market play, they'll need to start sponsoring European riders.

As far as the Laguna incident, it was Stoner's fault. However, it wasn't his fault in a race investigation sense of the word (you're allowed to ride whatever line you want), it was simply poor judgement. All Stoner did was ride a slow line to block Hayden. But if you pass up a fast line, so you can .... up the hometown hereo's line, and he and another hometown hopeful hit the pavement as a result, you have to accept the fact you will be villified to an extent.

That would have been a really great move 20 laps from when it happened. However, blocking like that on lap 1 in the super crowded Andretti hairpin on cold tires was a bit desperate.

Before Casey attempted that line, it wasn't the type of line many Laguna fans would have considered fit for racing. However, now that it has been successfully executed and proven to be about as fast as the conventional line, it has to be legitimized for the 800cc era.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Aug 20 2007, 03:57 PM) [snapback]85949[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
As far as the Laguna incident, it was Stoner's fault. However, it wasn't his fault in a race investigation sense of the word (you're allowed to ride whatever line you want), it was simply poor judgement. All Stoner did was ride a slow line to block Hayden. But if you pass up a fast line, so you can .... up the hometown hereo's line, and he and another hometown hopeful hit the pavement as a result, you have to accept the fact you will be villified to an extent.

That would have been a really great move 20 laps from when it happened. However, blocking like that on lap 1 in the super crowded Andretti hairpin on cold tires was a bit desperate.

Before Casey attempted that line, it wasn't the type of line many Laguna fans would have considered unfit for racing. However, now that it has been successfully executed and proven to be about as fast as the conventional line, it has to be legitimized for the 800cc era.


I accept this is a reasonable argument, particularly as I have only seen the corner on TV. Looks like an interesting corner in the AMA superbike races too.

Hayden and Hopkins would seem to have accepted it as a racing incident, as they certainly showed no animosity towards Stoner after the Brno race.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Olivavu @ Aug 20 2007, 04:20 AM) [snapback]85869[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I don't see much humble about them at all...

Switch the channel, you are mistakenly watching the Lorentho Friends Network.

Dude, of all the people in the paddock, you would be hard pressed to find a clan less outrageously sprung on fame.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(antfan @ Aug 20 2007, 05:02 AM) [snapback]85883[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
If you look on Hoppers myspace page there are a few youtube clips of Nicky Hayden in commercials talking about 'bling' 'money' 'women' and how all them along with his world championship make him complete blah blah (for some product) dont remember the exact details.. But im pretty sure under the video it said something along the lines of 'My (Hopper's) motivation' ... I think its just a jealousy thing... Two pretty different personalities..

The ad is for Alpinestars. The ad is super lame. And guess what, its a spoof. It's a horrible idea some ...... in marketing had.
What on earth would make you think it’s his idea. Have you ever seen hideous ads with athletes trying to act or pose on commercials that go wrong? They are lame; do you really think he has anything to do with what the marketing moron had to say when they designed that stupid commercial?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Duc999 @ Aug 20 2007, 06:17 AM) [snapback]85913[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
Dude this was not to START a rumor.
If you have a motogp account you would have heard it several times by their commentators. I asked if anyone knew why they didn't get along.

It seems I must fall to you judgement of what you think is proper or not. Thus I will now go cowering to a corner and pray not to get harassed for asking a honest question.

Hey have you heard that I don't get a long wit you.... Wonder why.

I haven't heard such rubbish that they don’t get along. Geez, its worse than the media running around trying to fabricate a headline.

You assume its right in your question. It’s like me asking, does anybody know why Rossi is talking of retiring? It assumes he is retiring. Then we have a thread where people say stuff like, yeah, I "think" I read it somewhere...blablabla. (Which is amazing how many times I've read people say that as a cop out, I “think I heard/read”...well did you or didn't you?


Dude, I'm not pressing you to cower down, all I'm asking is to back up the claim. Give us a link or something.

That you don’t get along with me, well, I haven't had too many interactions with you. I think this is the first. But who cares, I've had plenty of run ins with less articulate members, and we have become friends. I have a Ducati 749, maybe we can start there.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(michaelm @ Aug 20 2007, 08:01 AM) [snapback]85940[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
This Hayden vs Hopper thing seems like a complete beat-up to me;
I agree. Also, Michaelm, the incident at Laguna was totally a racing incident on a particularly difficult turn that happened on account of those top contenders trying to get the lead. I think Frost and Lex put it best. I don't like to dwell on it but it was terribly disappointing for me and most everybody I sat/stood with. I would not say it was a stupid thing to do because racing is done by humans and we make calculation mistakes, so I don’t hold it against Stoner who was trying to push for the lead but calculated the apex wrong. (BTW, I have a different take on last years Portugal incident, there I think it was more than mere human error; but rather an element of human character flaw).

Anyway. You should consider coming to the GP here at Laguna. I am confident you would enjoy the spectacle.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Duc999 @ Aug 20 2007, 08:22 PM) [snapback]86083[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

I have owned a 996 and now a 999. I am really in love with the Ducati Supermoto. That thing is sweet. Handles incredibly well. Comfortable and has plenty of power....

If you are ever in the Peach State look me up


Well, I haven't heard anything about the two guys not getting along. It wouldn't make sense from their character (seem kinda mellow), but who knows, everybody has an ego.

Its all good.

Dude, hell ya. It had been my dream to on own a Ducati since I was 17. I've owned every Jap bike since then but always kept my eye on the Italian machine. Eventually I grew up and made enough money to finally buy a 748 a few years back. Now I have a 749. They are both great but now I want a Hypermotard--what I think is one of the most beautiful bikes on the planet. Click here But its totally out of my price range at the moment. I think I'm gonna start with the Suzuki supermoto (so it won't kill my pocketbook and EKG the first time I drop it).

I also have an R6 I painted. Check it out here

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Aug 20 2007, 12:28 AM) [snapback]85749[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
A California Bro and a down home Kentucky boy don't get along? No way!

I think it's mainly because Hopper drank his own Kool-Aid. The guy is talented don't get me wrong, but he was the highly politicized American addition to the grid. He was connected to the right people in racing, and found himself on the MotoGP grid in 2002. That year Hayden became youngest AMA superbike champion by beating Mladin on a V-twin RC51. Hayden's stock went through the roof, and his connections landed him on a works Honda with Rossi. Hoppers connections got him nowhere but wrecked in the gravel trap on a factory Suzuki. They were both supposed to have great careers. Both had pace, both got rides on factory bikes, both had world champs showing them around the circuit. But we know how it panned out.

I subscribe to the theory that Hopkins drinks his own kool-aid. I used to be a big fan of his when he won the FX title in 2001 and made the jump to GP and through his first few seasons. Then I think he began to be a bit like Biaggi. All this hype, sponsors and writers saying how good he is. And just how Biaggi had to work his way through 250s and then move to second-rate Yamaha while Rossi was given factory Aprilias in the small classes and a factory Honda when he got to 500s, Hopkins did not get a factory ride at a very early age like Hayden did and when Hopkins moved to GPs he rode for a satellite team while Hayden again landed a factory seat.

I could be making stuff up in my head but I think Biaggi and Hopkins are very similar.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eagle088 @ Aug 20 2007, 12:51 AM) [snapback]85759[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
MONEY I promise you that was the main motivation. Plus if Hopkins can make a winner out of that Kawasaki he is a legend; or at least closer to legend status. I think he is afraid of not having an excuse for not winning.

I'm glad someone else said it, I've been thinking it for quite some time.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Racejumkie @ Aug 20 2007, 11:07 PM) [snapback]86024[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I haven't heard such rubbish that they don’t get along. Geez, its worse than the media running around trying to fabricate a headline.

You assume its right in your question. It’s like me asking, does anybody know why Rossi is talking of retiring? It assumes he is retiring. Then we have a thread where people say stuff like, yeah, I "think" I read it somewhere...blablabla. (Which is amazing how many times I've read people say that as a cop out, I “think I heard/read”...well did you or didn't you?
Dude, I'm not pressing you to cower down, all I'm asking is to back up the claim. Give us a link or something.

I've not read or heard anything from Hayden regarding this but I remember reading a Road Racer X, I wanna say April 2004, with a long interview with Hopkins and him mentioning that he has a rivalry with Hayden and they don't get on. He also doesn't get on with Kurtis Roberts. Who also doesn't get on with Hayden because Hayden narrowly beat Roberts to the AMA Supersport title in 1999 when they were teammates at Erion Honda and Hayden went on to American Honda and the rest is history. Roberts felt it should have been him.

I think the only Americans who get on are Hopkins and Edwards.




.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Austin @ Aug 20 2007, 11:11 PM) [snapback]86101[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>

I could be making stuff up in my head but I think Biaggi and Hopkins are very similar.


I guess this is not debatable since it’s completely a personal opinion. But I'm very interested in you elaborating since I completely disagree. Biaggi is both a perpetrator and victim of his own plight. Highly talented but with personal issues that have spilled onto the public eye with great sinister help from the media machine. Yet he has won in GP premier, hasn't he...

Hopkins in my opinion is equally talented. But that's where the similarities end. Name one year that he (Hopkins) has had a top 5 machine/package (excluding this year, which I would say the Ducs and Yamaha packages have been better anyway in 07). As Mamola said, not even a great rider could will the Honda to success this year so far, what and how could you explain Hopkins seemingly lack of will or talent in regards to results (wins) in relation to the Suzuki then? And where is the outspoken grievances or countryman rivalry made seemingly public for which Biaggi was so sensationally criticized for?

Here is what I think; Hopkins and Biaggi are similar in that they are both male. Other than that, it seems to me Hopkins is more similar to Hayden on the grid than anybody else.

Hopkins has talent beyond what we have been privy to see. This can not be more understated. Unfortunately, the sport we love has one major flaw, it is not a test of talent on equal playing fields and add to this its highly political; yet we sit around and tout, praise, and speculate riders success or lack there of based on results based on wins and not much more. This is one reason why I like NASCAR, which is frequently an easy target of scorn on this site, however, as far as level playing fields in motorsports; it is head and shoulders above GP. Those people who thoughtfully analyze MotoGP and their riders always take into account the entire package while the casual spectator looks at the wins and losses column and makes an absolute conclusion.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Aug 20 2007, 03:57 PM) [snapback]85949[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I think that's a pretty good assessment as far as I can tell. I'm not sure about this rumored third bike though. I think that may be entirely a rumor because I can't imagine an extra bike would give them a better shot at championship points or a premier class win. I think people might have assumed that RL Hayden would get boosted into MotoGP to ride for Kawasaki (on the third bike), but if Monster is really making a global market play, they'll need to start sponsoring European riders.

As far as the Laguna incident, it was Stoner's fault. However, it wasn't his fault in a race investigation sense of the word (you're allowed to ride whatever line you want), it was simply poor judgement. All Stoner did was ride a slow line to block Hayden. But if you pass up a fast line, so you can .... up the hometown hereo's line, and he and another hometown hopeful hit the pavement as a result, you have to accept the fact you will be villified to an extent.

That would have been a really great move 20 laps from when it happened. However, blocking like that on lap 1 in the super crowded Andretti hairpin on cold tires was a bit desperate.

Before Casey attempted that line, it wasn't the type of line many Laguna fans would have considered fit for racing. However, now that it has been successfully executed and proven to be about as fast as the conventional line, it has to be legitimized for the 800cc era.



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mylexicon @ Aug 20 2007, 03:57 PM) [snapback]85949[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
As far as the Laguna incident, it was Stoner's fault. However, it wasn't his fault in a race investigation sense of the word (you're allowed to ride whatever line you want), it was simply poor judgement. All Stoner did was ride a slow line to block Hayden. But if you pass up a fast line, so you can .... up the hometown hereo's line, and he and another hometown hopeful hit the pavement as a result, you have to accept the fact you will be villified to an extent.

That would have been a really great move 20 laps from when it happened. However, blocking like that on lap 1 in the super crowded Andretti hairpin on cold tires was a bit desperate.

Before Casey attempted that line, it wasn't the type of line many Laguna fans would have considered fit for racing. However, now that it has been successfully executed and proven to be about as fast as the conventional line, it has to be legitimized for the 800cc era.


This makes even more sense now that I have thought about it. Stoner by accident or design took an unconventional line which ought to have blocked Hayden, making him change his line. It actually proved to be fairly fast, leading to Stoner being a fair way ahead when the crash occurred.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eagle088 @ Aug 20 2007, 10:51 AM) [snapback]85759[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
MONEY I promise you that was the main motivation. Plus if Hopkins can make a winner out of that Kawasaki he is a legend; or at least closer to legend status. I think he is afraid of not having an excuse for not winning.


And PIG's FLY TOOOO KAWASAKI!!!...(JUST FOR BEN!!! I WILL USE THE OLD U KNOW CAP"S!!!...lol...CHEERS TO YOU BEN!!!)

Nicky is by far the most talented American rider that has been since KR'JR!!! Or even surpass his talents!!!...Hopkins is a DUD!!!...What 2 podiums in 5 years!!!...What A JOKE!!!...And you mark my words Kawasaki has forked out so much of their 2008 budget WITH A .... LOAD OF ...$$$€€€£££’S on HOPPER that they will be Very Much Sorry at the end of the 2008 season!!!...They should have secured Westy, Randy and kept the rest for their development budget!!!...They would have been much better OFF!!!...

You mark My Words!!!...HOPKINS IS ....!!! KAWASAKI!!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<div class='quotemain'>They should have secured Westy, Randy and kept the rest for their development budget!!!...They would have been much better OFF!!!...


I don't agree that Hopkins is ...., I think that he's capable of more than he's produced so far.
But, I do agree that he's not worth being the second highest paid rider on the grid, and I don't think he'll get legendary status results out of the Kawa.
Westy and Randy should have both kept their rides.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Helix @ Aug 22 2007, 01:01 AM) [snapback]86217[/snapback]<div class='quotemain'>
I don't agree that Hopkins is ...., I think that he's capable of more than he's produced so far.
But, I do agree that he's not worth being the second highest paid rider on the grid, and I don't think he'll get legendary status results out of the Kawa.
Westy and Randy should have both kept their rides.


helix...but how long would it take hopper to produce with the Kawasaki???...another 5 years for a podium???...rdp is just getting there or abuts....hopper will just enjoy the £€&$’s and produce nothing!!!...you mark my words...i was right about poor nicky who btw i really like as a guy hes a cool and very reasonable rider but hoppers has nothing on nicky...have you noticed i haven’t been using CAPS!!!...its not allowed!!!...cheers mate

On the money he's getting and according to his own hype, Kawa should be expecting him to be getting podiums regularly next season, but I can't see it happening, I love Kawas but unless they can do miracles with their (now much smaller) budget, no one , Hopper included, is going to be WC on one.
Better to keep two cheaper, but talented young riders, while they develop a more competitive bike.

Jumkie, my comparison of Hopkins to Biaggi is merely personality wise. The fact that Biaggi always compared himself to Rossi (countryman and world champion) while having won nothing in the premier class, just as Hopkins compares himself to Hayden (countryman and world champion) while having won nothing.

Biaggi had premier class wins and I think Hopkins has the potential to do that (although I'm not sure how he has a better chance to do that on a Kawasaki than he does with Suzuki or could have with Ducati but I've been over this countless times and won't get into it again). But just as Biaggi was never able to make a serious challenge to Rossi throughout an entire season, I don't believe Hopkins has the focus to take a title fight to the finish.

The similarity to me is that they've both bought into all the hype surrounding them, both have established a rivalry between themselves and their world champion compatriot without too much of an on-track rivalry and each seems to have excuses for results.