Red Bull Honda rider Stefan Bradl hopes he and his team can pay tribute to their fallen team-mate Nicky Hayden with a strong result at this weekend’s Donington Park round.
On May 22, 2006 MotoGP World Champion and World Superbike race winner Nicky Hayden tragically succumbed to injuries he sustained in a cycling accident in Italy last week. In light of this, his former team has bravely decided to race on at Donington in his honour.
Bradl knows this weekend will be difficult for all involved, but hopes his prior grand prix experience at Donington will allow him to secure a couple of strong results to perfectly pay tribute to Hayden.
“This weekend is going to be very difficult for everybody,” the German said.
“Nicky was a racer, was born and raised into a racing family and all his life was about enjoying racing, so we will be here to keep his passion alive and pay tribute to him in the best possible way.
“Donington is a track I know from my time in the 125cc World Championship, and I have raced here twice already. As I said, it won’t be an easy round but we will do our best in his name.”
Honda technical manager Pieter Breddels shared his rider’s thoughts on the tough task at hand this weekend, but makes clear that the team will rally together to give Bradl all the support he needs to get his bike to the chequered flag in both races.
“Obviously, this is not going to be a round like any other: everything we have been doing a million times at a racetrack will have a whole different meaning and feeling to it,” said Breddels.
“We will all stay strong together and give our best support to Stefan, who has the hard task to go out there and give it his all.
“And, of course, we will pay tribute to Nicky in the best way we know and we hope to make him proud.”
The WorldSBK paddock will observe a minute’s silence just prior to the start of the first race of the weekend on Saturday.
Comments.
Loading comments…