Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies, and Colin Edwards will be representing the United States this weekend as the MotoGP riders head to Laguna Seca for the 10th round of the 2011 MotoGP season. But the American regulars in the premier racing series will be joined by one more hometown hero this weekend at the Mazda Raceway. AMA Superbike rider Ben Bostrom will be racing as a wild card for the LCR Honda team.
Nicky Hayden
Nicky Hayden has won twice at the California circuit, by Hayden hasn't touched the podium at Laguna since 2006. In fact, no American rider has been up on the box since Hayden won the Laguna Seca race five years ago.
"Obviously, I'm looking forward to Laguna, because it's a track I love that's very challenging and fun, with a great atmosphere and my home crowd. Turn 1 and the Corkscrew are very technical, and pretty much the whole track links together. On a MotoGP bike, there really aren't any straightaways, because you're always shifting, turning or braking. It's important to have a bike that you feel confident on and can be aggressive with.
"I'm going to my home GP not in our best moment, but we'll give our best effort like always. It's nice that my brothers are both in the AMA race, and my sisters are both doing a lap on the two-seater Ducati. I think we'll make the final decision on Thursday as to which bike I'll ride, but we'll probably try the GP11.1 at some stage, and I'll see what I can do to try and come up with a good result."
Colin Edwards
Colin Edwards has a best finish of second place at Laguna, which he scored in 2005 behind Nicky Hayden. It was the first and last time that two American riders scored a 1-2 at Laguna Seca during a MotoGP race.
"I can't wait to get to Laguna because I love the place so much. I have a lot of family and friends that are coming which always makes it extra special, but the American fans are brilliant to me, so hopefully I can send them home smiling on Sunday night with a good result. It has been a bit manic since Germany because I flew straight to LA to shoot another movie for Yamaha. They are always good fun and I really enjoy myself, so a big thanks to Yamaha US for all they do in arranging that for us.
"I am really looking forward to the weekend and although 10th in Germany wasn't the result we wanted, it was actually a positive race. We certainly learned a few things about the bike because we made a lot of changes, so I've got good reason to be optimistic of fighting for the top six this weekend. That's my goal anyway and if we have a smooth weekend, I'm sure that's achievable. I want to get a strong result not just because it's my home race, but it will make the summer break more relaxing and enjoyable and set me up for a strong push in the final part of the season."
Ben Spies
Ben Spies will be heading to a track that he knows pretty well this weekend. Spies has three victories at Laguna Seca, but has never taken the podium on the world stage.
Spies holds the AMA lap record at Laguna Seca, which he set in 2007, but his 1'23.104 won't do Spies much good this weekend. (Stoner has the MotoGP lap record which is 3 seconds faster).
"It's always exciting to race in front of the home crowd and It's going to be a big event for Yamaha with the 50th anniversary colours being run again. They were lucky for me at Assen and hopefully they can bring me more luck in front of my friends and family. I've had some pretty good results in my AMA days at Laguna and I love riding the circuit. It's going to be a serious race weekend but it's also going to be a lot of fun so I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of old faces at the track."
Ben Bostrom
Ben Bostrom has a few wins at the Laguna Seca circuit, but the AMA Superbike rider has never raced in the MotoGP. Bostrom has, however, raced and won in the World Superbike series at the California circuit.
"Words can't express how excited I am to get this amazing opportunity to race on my home track in front of the whole world. I have to thank Michael Jordan Motorsports and American Suzuki for allowing this to happen. The collaboration between Lucio, LCR and the MJM team has been terrific. I'm going to get on the GP bike and put it as close to the front as possible. Then I'm going to hop on my Jordan Suzuki bike and try to create even more magic."
