Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

By David Swarts

AMA Superbike Champion Nicky Hayden will ride a Honda RC211V MotoGP bike for the first time Wednesday and Thursday, November 13-14 at the Motegi Twin-Ring circuit in Japan.

“I’m really excited about the test,” Hayden told Roadracingworld.com via cell phone while on his way to the airport. “We’re going to Motegi. They say the weather isn’t really too good right now and I may end up riding in the rain, but I don’t care. After hearing those things last week at Valencia, I couldn’t hardly wait to get on one.”

Hayden said he doesn’t know if any other Honda MotoGP riders will participate in the test session.

“A little bit,” said Hayden when asked if he was nervous. “I’m more excited, really. I’ve been waiting for it. I’ve had the last couple of months to think about it. Yeah, I guess I’m a little bit nervous, but I mean, that’s good. You should be a little bit nervous, you know?”

Hayden said he’s been busy over the last few weeks taking care of small chores like getting vaccine shots, buying travel items and getting an International cell phone but added that he hasn’t yet settled on where he will live in Europe. “I’m not sure,” said Hayden. “I’m going to feel it out during testing, go to some places, try and find a spot I really like. I’m not going to really rush into it. I was thinking about Belgium, but everybody says the weather is so bad there that I might be miserable. But that’s where the team’s at and I know people there. I’m just going to feel it out. I’ll come up with something.”

Hayden said he is planning on attending the AMA Pro Racing Awards banquet November 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada.