Motorbike news

Hayden crowned champ as Rossi slides out of contention

The MotoGP season ended in spectacular style on Sunday as Nicky Hayden overturned all the odds to clinch the world championship title ahead of Valentino Rossi.

There were ecstatic scenes in Valencia as the 25-year-old American crossed the line in third place, fulfilling a boyhood dream and shattering Rossi's attempts to claim a legendary eighth world title.

Beginning the Spanish race in pole and with an eight-point lead over Hayden, Rossi was the favourite to take the championship but a motorbike accident on lap five sent him sliding across the tarmac.

Refusing to give up the fight, however, the Italian remounted his Yamaha M1 and attempted to storm back through the field but a bent gear lever meant he could only reach 13th position as he crossed the line.

Nicky Hayden's third place meant his points total for the season was a magnificent 252, five more than Rossi was able to amass. It is only the second time in the history of MotoGP that a rider has come from behind to win the title on the last day of the season.

Hayden cried tears of joy as he celebrated his achievement in front of 129,000 spectators, telling reporters, "When you dedicate your life to something and the dream comes true, it is fantastic.

"It just shows that you shouldn't give up and good things come to good people. My whole life has been building up to this."

Rossi was gracious in defeat and told journalists, "I would like to congratulate Nicky because he deserves this title."

He added, "If anybody else had to win, I am glad he did. In my personal ranking, if I don't win, Nicky is my favourite, because he is a great guy as well as a great rider."

For more information about the new MotoGP world champion, check out www.nickyhayden.com.