1 minute read
The Hayden Mission
from September 2019
Page 24
THE HAYDEN MISSIONwords + images: Brian Rathjen
Surely one of the most exciting days that Shira and I have ever ridden was in October of 2006 when we were fortunate to be at the final MotoGP in Valencia, Spain. everything was on the line at this final race of the season and a crucial mistake by the legendary Valentino Rossi on the 5th lap, when he tucked in his front wheel, crashing right in front of us, changed the outcome of the entire year.
American Nicky Hayden – the Kentucky Kid – went on to finish the race, taking third, but…. as a 5-point leader, helped by Rossi’s 13th place finish, took home the MotoGP World Championship. As Americans, we went nuts! The Spaniards around us congratulated us – like we had anything to do with this? But, it was a magical moment. Magical.
SePTeMBeR 2019 • BACKROADS
Find the rest of the story in the September issue of Backroads Magazine - available online now.
