Hayden Out of Misano

Cycle News Staff | August 31, 2008

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden withdrew from the San Marino Grand Prix on Sunday morning. Hayden was forced to withdraw after the right heel break he suffered in the X Games four weeks ago made it difficult for him to use the rear brake as normal. “I normally use the rear brake quite a lot, but the problem is where my brake is, when I touch it or push the peg it pushes right back into the break on the bone,” Hayden said after Saturday qualifying. “We put a lot lighter spring on and it helped a bit, but …. “My foot’s not great, and it’s getting a little bit worse each session,” he said, after qualifying a lowly 16th. Hayden had considered sitting out this race, but didn’t want to be off the RC212V for eight weeks. Mostly he was concerned with being at full strength, or close to it, for the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix on Sept. 14.