Hayden: Isle of Man TT riders 'hard as nails'

Nicky Hayden took time out in between MotoGP rounds to visit the Isle of Man TT and experience the world-famous road race.

Hayden arrived on Tuesday evening after racing in Barcelona at the weekend and enjoyed a warm Manx welcome dinner with other VIP guests, including five-time 500cc World Champion Mick Doohan.

On Wednesday morning Hayden experienced a closed-road parade lap of the TT course aboard a Ducati 1198.

The 2006 world champion was joined by Doohan, five-time 2010 TT winner Ian Hutchinson, MotoGP rookie Cal Crutchlow and BSB star Josh Brookes - all of whom rode the course behind a TT travelling marshal, waving at the crowds that lined the roadside as they passed by.

“That lap was pretty awesome," said Hayden. "We weren't going fast but the speed we were doing while waving at the crowds was pretty fast! I really enjoyed my lap and seeing another form of racing, these boys are hard as nails."

Following the parade lap, Hayden waved the flag to mark the start of the Monster Energy Supersport race two before heading to a private garden at Bray Hill to watch the action unfold.

Unfortunately the race was red flagged after two laps due to persistent rain at various points of the course.

"It was a real shame about the weather, but maybe I can come back another year and see some racing," said Hayden.

After an eventful day at the TT, Hayden left the Isle of Man and headed straight to Silverstone for this weekend's British MotoGP.

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Valentino Rossi to attend 2009 Isle of Man TT Races

Isle News, 29 April 2009 – Rossi to lap the course with Giacomo Agostini before Dainese Superbike TT Race

Eight-time MotoGP world champion, Valentino Rossi, has confirmed today that he will make his first visit to the world-famous Isle of Man TT Races in June this year.

The 30-year-old winner of 97 Grands Prix will visit the Island on Saturday 6th June with fellow Italian legend Giacomo Agostini. Agostini who raced on the famous Mountain Course between 1966 and 1972, winning 10 TT races, which then held world championship status will accompany Rossi on a lap of the course prior to the Dainese Superbike race.

The two most successful motorcycle racers of all time will ride behind the course car on 2009 Yamaha R1’s, flanked by some of the famous Travelling Marshalls, who will be riding similar machines.

Commenting on the visit Rossi said:

“I am fascinated by all sort of motorsport and the Isle of Man is a destination and a race I have wanted to experience for a long time. The MotoGP schedule is very busy around this time of year, but this year the TT has moved dates a little and there is a week gap between Mugello and Catalunya, so now at last we have the opportunity to see this famous event! I have seen many famous images from the TT races, and of course heard much about it from Giacomo and Mr Dainese who enjoyed the experience so much last year.”

Lino Dainese added:

“This is the second year of being the Official Safety Partner to the Isle of Man TT Races and is a very big challenge for our company: we want to give a strong signal to our commitment of safety. We continue with our research and development programme of the D-air system, and at the TT Races we will cooperate again with our rider Guy Martin who gave such valuable feedback at last years event. Our research will continue also at Grand Prix circuits this year with Valentino Rossi’s support too. We are delighted he can be with us at the TT this year to highlight the general commitment of all our pilots, together with D-tec (Dainese Technology Center) to make a step forward in Motorbike protection.”

Dainese renewed its current partnership with the Isle of Man TT races in April and will be the Official Safety Partner for the second successive year. The company’s founder and CEO Mr Lino Dainese will accompany Rossi and Agostini on this historic visit.

After the Dainese Superbike race there will be a press conference involving Mr Lino Dainese, Giacomo Agostini and Valentino Rossi outlining Dainese’s future commitments to further improving safety for people who love active sports before the VIP group leave to return to Italy.

Rossi’s appearance has been made possible because of his involvement with Dainese. Yamaha and MCN have also been involved in setting up the trip, working with the Isle of Man Government.

Hon Martyn Quayle MHK, Minister for Tourism and Leisure, commented:

“The TT has a long history with Italy and Italian riders including Carlo Ubbiali, Tarquinio Provini and of course Giacomo Agostini. It is fantastic that another one of the ultimate motorcycling champions will be visiting the island this year and I’m sure that everyone will give him a fantastic reception along with Giacamo Agostini. We are incredibly grateful to our partners Yamaha and particularly Dainese for making this trip happen. It represents and excellent opportunity to promote the Isle of Man and the TT Races to a global audience”
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