hayden

Nicky Hayden was a frustrated spectator at Estoril today when, after lengthy consultations with medical experts and Repsol Honda team members, it was announced that the American wouldn't be participating in the Portuguese GP.

Having gone from hero to zero by crashing out of the Italian Grand Prix last Sunday, Nicky Hayden returned to the former after snatching his second consecutive front row start, during today's final qualifying session for the Catalan Grand Prix.

"Brave. I respect him for it; he could have stayed where he was at. It took some balls to make that decision"- Hayden on Rossi leaving Honda.

by Peter McLaren