Hayden revels in first podium finish since 2011
Nicky Hayden was satisfied to secure his maiden World Superbike podium in the first race at Assen, his first top-three finish for five years.
The 2006 MotoGP champion joined Honda's WSBK outfit at the start of the year after leaving MotoGP, where he had raced since 2003 but hadn't finished on the podium since the 2011 Spanish Grand Prix.
Following two top-five finishes and two retirements in the first six races of his WSBK career, Hayden secured his first podium finish in Race 1 at Assen, taking advantage of teammate Michael van der Mark's crash.
"I got a great start and was able to stay with the leading group of riders, although they were quite fast and every time I tried to relax, I could see a little gap opening in front of me," said Hayden.
"Towards the end, I started to feel more comfortable with the bike and conditions, so I thought I could find something extra in the final two laps. Just after Michael’s crash I had a moment at turn five, so I thought it was better to ride home in third.
"It’s my maiden World Superbike podium and the first one in a long time, so I want to thank the team for the great work."
Sixth place in first wet race
Following his podium, Hayden completed his first wet race in World SBK. He quickly established himself in the leading group, but reacted to the drying conditions a bit later than his fellow frontrunners and could only salvage sixth.
"I can’t say I’m happy with sixth as I felt I could have finished in a much higher position," said the American.
"I got another great start, I went from tenth to fourth just on the first lap and everything felt right. This was the first race for me in the wet in Superbike and with these tyres, so that put a smile on my face.
"Then, when the sun came out, the track started to dry really quickly. I was feeling really good and I guess that made me stay out on track for a bit too long before I pitted.
"Even when I got back on track I could not get up to speed immediately, as for the first time I was riding a bike with a wet setup on slick tyres.
"At some stage I found my rhythm and went past [Alex] Lowes, but then the gap to [Chaz] Davies was simply too big."
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