Two-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes wishes it were under different circumstances that he was to be riding the Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha at the MotoGP season finale in Valencia this weekend. He is replacing an injured Colin Edwards, who was involved in a an incident which took the life of Marco Simoncelli in Malaysia two weeks ago. This weekend will mark the first time that the reigning AMA Champion has ridden the Valencia circuit, as well as his first experience aboard the powerful MotoGP livery. "I really don't belong here," said an overwhelmed Hayes on Thursday afternoon in a rainy MotoGP paddock, "I don't fit in." For those who have had the opportunity to get to know Josh, he is a humble and down to earth character. He comes into the weekend with no expectations other than to learn the workings of the Yamaha YZR-M1 equipment and to do his best to represent the Yamaha squad.
Wet track conditions during Friday's free practice sessions meant that Hayes' MotoGP debut would be a soggy one. Hayes spoke about his first day on the GP bike, "My first day in MotoGP has been very difficult and scary at times to the honest. Before I went out this morning I don't think I have ever been so nervous in my life. I was happy with my lap times this morning in the tricky conditions but then in the full wet this afternoon it meant it was quite a scary introduction to MotoGP."
While Hayes may not yet have had the opportunity to experience the full potential of the Monster Energy Tech3 Yamaha, the seasoned rider certainly appeared right at home in Valencia. Aside from an uncharacteristically (and to be expected) high level of nervousness prior to the session, Hayes managed to complete his first free practice in 15th position with a time of 1:48:037, a mere 2.524 seconds off morning leader and recently crowned World Champion Casey Stoner. During the afternoon session, Hayes was the first to get out onto the wet racetrack and quickly went to work. After turning countless laps around the 2.5 mile circuit, Hayes found himself in 10th place at the end of the session, with a best lap time of 1:50:509, again 2.5 seconds behind the leader, Suzuki's Alvaro Bautista, who had a best time of 1:47:975 on a wet to damp racetrack.
While Hayes is still learning about the motorcycle, he hopes for some dry conditions prior to Sunday's race so his has an opportunity to test the carbon brakes. According to Hayes, "I don't want to be going into the race on Sunday having to learn to ride in the dry and also adjust to the carbon brakes after two wet days. That would be the worse case scenario for me but I enjoyed today a lot. It was a good experience and once again I want to thank everybody at Yamaha, Tech3 and Monster that made this possible."
Watch for Josh Hayes and the rest of the MotoGP field to be racing the final round of the series this coming Sunday at 2pm local time. All riders have agreed that racing on Sunday is what Marco Simoncelli would have wanted, and a number of riders and teams are sporting the #58 on their motorcycles or gear this weekend in honour of the fallen Italian rider. This weekend will also mark the last race for Pramac Ducati's Loris Capirossi, who after 22 successful years of road racing, will be retiring at the end of this season. Capirossi will be racing with the #58 on his motorcycle this weekend, in honour of his friend.
