Can Nicky repeat?

[Jeff]

Nicky is definitely tough as nails and deserves congratulations for toppling the mighty Rossi.

But now, the question is... can he repeat in 2007? It appears the strikes are against him again. The 800 is built to fit mini people like the good teammate Dani-boy. Messed up shoulder means he's missing tests.

So, can he do it?

Jeff

[garry]

It's certainly possible. The man has skillz. But I'm betting it will be a wild season as the teams try to sort out the new bikes. My money is on someone new to take it (not Hayden or Rossi). Should be a fun season.

[scott-sts]

Yes, he can.  I think his chances are better now with the cc change than if things had remained the same.  Plus, Nicky put the Pedrosa thing to bed by winning the championship.  At least it's logical to assume so but you never know with Honda.

[UPNET]

Rossi,Pedrosa,Hayden, Cappirossi...will be up there. Pedrosa and Rossi will have an advantage on the smaller bikes since they are small guys. Ducati's will probably come out smokin' in the early part of the season.  Would be nice if Hopkins on the Suzuki becomes competitive. Hayden will have to work twice as hard, as Pedrosa is Repsols boy wonder. Hopefully Hayden won't be relegated to test mule rider like he was this year.

[rodm850g]

Scott,
Logic and assume are two words better left out of road racing...specially when dealing with Honda. Whether or not the Kentucky Kid can do it again are yet to be seen and thankfully I don't gamble. If you have kept up with motogp this year the boy just did  get up to speed....The odds as expressed by the polls at  motogp.com disagree with you....but it is racing
and these are but opinions.....cant wait for next year myself.....take care
 
                               Rodm850g

[TalkingHead]

I didn't think Rossi was actually that small? Did you mean Capirossi?
 
He certainly can repeat, whether he will or not is really hard to say. I think next year will be even more competetive than this year. The Suzuki's early form is really refreshing. Who knows? Maybe Hopper will finally have a bike that will allow him to fulfill his potential?

[black hills]

It's hard to bet against Rossi. I don't think anyone has the talent that he does. For Hayden to win again it will require some luck, just like this year. I hope he does it! here are all time rider standings. Rossi is #2 already:
 

[Gaolee]

Interesting list.  Nicky has fewer wins than anyone else with a championship.  You can read that as a failing or as a strength, since he has turned consistency into a championship.  He can win again, and I hope he does.  Hopper and Suzuki seem to have figured something out with the new engine size, and Ilmore will be a very welcome oddity.  Ilmore and KR are as close as you can get to privateers.  The scenario I would like to see, and that absolutely won't happen, is for KRJR to win a championship on King Kenny's bike.  The next thing I would like to see that won't happen is for Hopper to win a championship on the Suzuki.  Then, I would like to see Nicky repeat.  That actually could happen.  The highest probability is Rossi having better luck and taking back the title.

[scott-sts]

It just occurred to me that you should have put *spoiler* in the title of this thread.

[R Doug]

I want him to, he's the guy I'll always cheer for.  But, I voted no.
 
Hayden has an uphill battle w/ the smaller displacement bike (IMHO).  Most of the other guys like Rossi and Pedrosa come from racing smaller displacement road course bikes and I believe they'll be ahead of Nicky on the learning curve when it comes to the different riding style I believe will be needed on the smaller bikes.  
 
Possible but not probable is my vote.

[hobbes]

I think the Suzukis are going to put up a huge fight next year, so I'm not betting on anyone (even rossi) right now.

[Capirex]

I vote he "can" but I don't think it's likely.  I'm sure his first objective is to beat Pedrosa.

[jerome_oneil]

Absolutely he can.   He's shown he can win, he's shown he can be patient and pick his spots.  The only thing that could stop him is HRC shenannigans, and a few more Pedrosa moments.

You can call him lucky, or a fluke, or anything else you'd like.  I'm calling him the defending world champion until someone else says otherwise.

[dgunther]

I don't think he can do it again.  Of course, I'm of the opinion that he couldn't have done it this time if Rossi hadn't had so many DNFs early in the season due to mechanical issues.  To be honest, I'm not a Hayden fan at all. I cringe for my country every time he's allowed to speak on TV.  Oh and then there's the #69 (huh huh huh - grow up you hillbilly!). At least that should be replaced with a big #1 (for a season anyway).

[Playinthestreet]

#69 was his father's number when he raced and I'm reasonably sure that the boys would have had to tell Earl what that number reflected.

[olderigetfasteriwas]

One and done.

[Jeff N]

[Jeff N]

He's already run the #1 plate in testing. I think it looks good.
 
Yes, he'll have to beat Repsol's favorite son, Pedrosa. That munchkin can ride.
 
It'd be cool if Hopkins and Vermuelan (SP?) can do well on the Zooks, and KRJR performing well on his pop's bike would be so cool, even if I still can't get over the fact that Kenny SR has a deal with Honda.

[Capirex]

bwin.com's odds to win the title next year.  
They don't give Nicky much respect. But they also think Vermeulen is American.  
 

MotoGP Championship 2007
Outright winner
Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 1.75
Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 5.00
Loris Capirossi (ITA/Ducati) 6.50
Nicky Hayden (USA/Honda) 8.00
Marco Melandri (ITA/Honda) 18.00
John Hopkins (USA/Suzuki) 41.00
Alex Barros (BRA/Ducati) 41.00
Shinya Nakano (JPN/Honda) 41.00
Chris Vermeulen (USA/Suzuki) 81.00
Casey Stoner (AUS/Ducati) 81.00
Toni Elias (ESP/Honda) 121.00
Carlos Checa (ESP/Honda) 121.00
Colin Edwards (USA/Yamaha) 151.00
Makoto Tamada (JPN/Yamaha) 301.00
Sylvain Guintoli (FRA/Yamaha) 501.00
Alex Hofmann (GER/Ducati) 501.00
Randy de Puniet (FRA/Kawasaki) 501.00
Olivier Jacque (FRA/Kawasaki) 501.00

I read that Nicky is having surgery on his shoulder tomorrow.  Hope it goes well for him.  

[Jeff N]

Nicky is having surgery on his shoulder tomorrow. Hope it goes well for him.

DR Art Ting, orthopedic surgeon to the stars.