Nicky Hayden: Electronics influence getting ‘ridiculous’

New factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden reckons if electronic rider aids continue to develop at such a rapid rate it will become ‘ridiculous’.

Speaking at the launch of Ducati’s 2009 MotoGP team at the annual Wroom ski event in Madonna di Campiglio, the Kentucky rider became the latest high-profile MotoGP rider to voice concerns about the growing influence of rider aids like traction control.

One option discussed to cut costs and also improve the show in MotoGP has been a reduction in electronics.

And 2006 MotoGP world champion Hayden believes a restriction must be implemented.

“I think the electronics in the last couple of years have grown so much that if it keeps up at this speed, in a couple more years, it’s just going to be ridiculous.

“Somewhere you need to draw the line on it. But it’s technology and you can’t stop the world from progressing.

“I think Dorna and everybody have quite a big challenge there in terms of understanding how to police it with all the bikes. But I think it’s going to have to be looked at.”

Hayden also doubts that the new single tyre rule will drastically improve MotoGP as a spectacle, with all riders running on Bridgestone rubber in 2009.

The former Repsol Honda rider added: “I’m not sure how much the single tyre rule is going to help improve the racing, but I think that’s what’s put MotoGP on the map is the close racing with the last-lap overtakes. That’s what the fans want, and the fans are important.

“I think they’ve got to figure out a good way to get back to it, because right now, the way the bikes are with a smaller engine capacity, the electronics, and the tyres, everybody’s on the limit. It makes it really difficult. You hardly make any mistakes, and the races get strung out pretty quick.”