Nicky Hayden to replace Miller at Aragon?

Nicky Hayden looks set to return to the MotoGP World Championship as a replacement for Jack Miller at Aragon.

The 2006 title winner, now competing in World Superbike, had been ready to step in for Miller at Silverstone - before the Australian was declared fit to ride after recovering sufficiently from back injuries at the Red Bull Ring.

But lingering hand injuries sustained in the same accident saw Miller withdraw from last Sunday's Misano race - and strong rumours suggest the Assen winner has ruled out returning to his Marc VDS Honda at Aragon.

Although yet to be officially unconfirmed, it seems Miller needs more time off the bike to allow the hand to heal and by sacrificing Aragon he would be fit for the three flyaway races that follow - including his home Phillip Island event.

Hayden - who took 28 podiums, including three wins, during his grand prix career - claimed his first WorldSBK win at Sepang and is currently sixth in the world championship.

The last time the #69 rode a factory-class RCV (and Michelin tyres) was at the Repsol Honda team in 2008, having steered Open class machines for the Aspar team in 2014 and 2015, following five seasons at Ducati.

Hayden would be the second World Superbike regular on the Aragon MotoGP grid, with Alex Lowes again replacing Bradley Smith at Tech 3 Yamaha.

MotoGP News - MotoGP: Nicky Hayden to replace Miller at Aragon?

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AJV80 said:

Nicky is a nice guy and all but I don't rate him all that highly. He won a championship and nobody can take that away from him whether he won it convincingly or not.

I personaly think Ducati only kept him around for 5 seasons because he helped boost bike sales in America.

Either way it will be great to see him out there again, even if its for only one appearance.

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p4p1 said:

Can only compare him to his team mate other than when Stoner was his team mate.
He finished 7 points behind Rossi in 2011
42 points in 2012 but did have 2 DNS of course all during the time Ducati bent over backwards to give Rossi everything he asked for and Hayden didn't get any say in the bike.
14 points behind Dovi in 2013

Sounds like a very good team mate to a clear lead rider to me.

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AJV80 said:

Yeah, fair points. I tend to only remember the Hayden in the days he was Stoner's team mate. Which isn't a fair comparison.

216 starts, 28 podiums, 3 wins

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p4p1 said:

Put anyone other than Marquez on that Ducati when Stoner was riding it and they all look like Hayden did.

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Former MotoGP Champion Nicky Hayden will replace Jack Miller at Marc VDS for the Grand Prix of Aragon, it has been confirmed.

The American will replace the injured Miller for the Spanish race, as the Australian continues to recover from fractures first sustained in his right hand during a warm-up fall in Austria.

Hayden is no stranger to MotoGP, having started 216 races between 2003 and 2015. He picked up a title in 2006, and has even been on the podium at Aragon, finishing third at the inaugural MotoGP race there in 2010.

“First of all I want to wish Jack a speedy recovery,” said Hayden.

“He is a buddy of mine and he is a rider I believe in a lot, so I hope he can get healthy as quickly as possible to show the high potential we all know he has got. He just needs to get his body right so he can perform.

“This is an unusual experience for me because I’ve never been a stand-in rider before. But I have a good relationship with Honda and when the idea first came up they were behind it and Ten Kate gave me their blessing, so it is nice to go and help out another Honda team.

“For me it just a chance to go and have fun. I’d probably be riding motorbikes anyway and I would definitely be watching the race on TV, so I might as well show up and have some fun.

“I know MotoGP is not a place that’s always easy to have fun because the level is so high but I’ve got a lot to learn and it won’t be a walk in the park. I haven’t ridden the bike and there are different tyres and electronics but I’ve got a lot of experience and I get another shot at MotoGP, which is great for me personally.”

According to team principal Michael Bartholemy, leaving Miller on the sidelines is the best bet of having the 21-year-old fit for the Japanese GP next month.

"Obviously we'd have preferred Jack to be racing in Aragon, but it's the racing that is stopping the two fractures in his hand healing properly,” he said.

“It makes sense to have him sit out this race in a bid to recover ahead of the three overseas races, one of which is his home race in Australia.”

Nicky Hayden MotoGP return confirmed

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JPSLotus said:

I wonder if Jum has survived the announcement.

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Jumkie said:

Haha, just saw this thread (I often miss posts on Tapatalk). Jesus! I wish I could hop over to Aragon. I actually have a buddy who booked this GP months ago. Lucky .......

If you live in a glass house, don't throw rocks.

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JPSLotus said:

Ignoring that, what would you be content to see out of Nicky this weekend?

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JPSLotus said:

That's awesome he is going. What made him pick Aragon? Seems like an odd race to fly over for when you consider all of the choices for circuits.

But just think, we are so far 1 for 2 of our dream single race entries for 2016!

Almost a month till Phillip Island.

Ignoring that, what would you be content to see out of Nicky this weekend?

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Jumkie said:

I'm praying for rain.

What are the odds on a bloke winning a Wsbk & GP wet race the same year?

If you live in a glass house, don't throw rocks.

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Daniboy said:

Probably the only race he could do due to wsbk obligations or Miller may be back for the flyaway races.

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