American Rider Was Actually Third Two Races Earlier, but Did Not Get to Enjoy a Podium Celebration
In this week’s Throwback Thursday we wind back the clock 21 years to the 2003 edition of the Australian Grand Prix held at the picturesque Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit. In the penultimate MotoGP round that year American GP rookie Nicky Hayden finally got to enjoy the first podium celebration of his young MotoGP career by finishing third to winner Valentino Rossi (center) and runner up Loris Capirossi (left). If you look in the record books, you’ll see Hayden finished third two rounds earlier in Motegi, Japan, but that result came after penalties were assessed and appeals were heard hours after the race, which meant Hayden did not get to stand on the rostrum at Motegi. So this photo from the Australian GP shows the first actual podium for Hayden. It would not be his last, he would go on to earn 26 more (28 in total) before his MotoGP career concluded 14 years later.
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