Biaggi leaves the garage like John Force in a final round show-down. Make way, world, the Emperor is launching. image by tracy hagen

Editor's note: This interview with Repsol Honda rider (and former Superbike champion) Nicky Hayden was done at the end of the second day of the MotoGP test at Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

'Soup: So how was your day?

Hayden: It was actually quite a bit better today. It (two minutes, 1.717 seconds) was definitely my best lap I've ever done around this place. I just slept on some things and came out fresh and dropped my pace a lot in the morning. I was happy to start my day off with that. And we found a few things with the bike. We changed the transmission today, and immediately it was better. A couple chassis geometry things and it felt like we made some improvements on the front. A little bit better braking stability on corner entry. We tried some stuff and it was not so big changes but it took a long time to change it, like the transmission. So we were just sitting around a lot while they were making changes. But I actually felt like I was riding a lot better today so I'm happy about that. There's a few things we are going to try on the last day to pick up the pace. The main thing is trying to stay consistent laps. It's tough here, in the afternoon heat. I did a bit of a long run and we had a little problem. I had to come in after only fourteen laps or something. We realized what it was, it was something with the brake on the back. The rebound spring jacked up so I didn't have the feel. And actually I thought something was going on with the clutch a little and I wasn't sure so I came in and immediately sorted it out. I ran some laps in the afternoon once, old tires trying to run the best I could on old tires in the heat. It was tough, but hopefully it will pay-off.

'Soup: Was the transmission change gearing ratios or something else?

Hayden: Well, both, actually. Wheelbase and ratio.

'Soup: Did you go back to something from January or was it a new idea?

Hayden: It was new. In January we kind of realized we were getting on the limit of that transmission and we had some ideas. This transmission isn't the easiest thing to get the ratios right. A lot of times there is big jumps. A lot of it was sixth gear getting into Turn one a little bit better and getting a better run on the straightaway.

'Soup: Is the new bike better?

Hayden: It's really quite similar. It's not so much different. You know, there are some real little fine things.

'Soup: Are your top speeds better with the new bike?

Hayden: I don't know, to be honest. I've seen the print-out but I didn't compare to last time. I don't really think there is a big difference.

'Soup: Have you been able to do the kind of consistent pace that you are looking for?

Hayden: A lot better than when I was here in January. I mean, I was keeping it pretty constant in the (two minutes, two seconds). But nothing that's going to keep any of them guys up at night or have them too shook up. But it's a lot better than what I did in the race (last year). I think my best time in the race was two minutes, three-something seconds. I think 2:03.7 was my best in the race. It's not enough to get Rossi out of bed today, but it is a bit of an improvement.

'Soup: Did you test tires today?

Hayden: No, actually, I didn't test any tires today, other than the endurance run. I did that long run on a tire that they wanted to test. I did no tires today. Michelin, if you wanted to test tires, we could be here the rest of the month testing tires. We did a lot of tire testing on the first day and at the last test.

'Soup: You did a lot of laps here. Do you like the place or do you just like doing lots of laps?

Hayden: Well, I like riding. I enjoy riding the bike. I mean, I've got a long way to go and I'm not going to get any faster sitting over there with the fan blowing on me. One of the things I struggle at is riding when the track gets really hot, like here and other different tracks like Mugello and Barcelona. Those places is when it's tough. The grip goes down and that's when it's tough to get the power to the ground and keep your speed up.

'Soup: Did you hook up anybody today?

Hayden: No. I followed Itoh this afternoon, but I didn't really get to run with anybody. I wish I could. You run around here all day by yourself it's kind of nice to run around here with somebody. Maybe tomorrow.

'Soup: How's your relationship with Max Biaggi?

Hayden: Well, it's pretty much every man for himself. I mean - yeah - he's going a lot of - you, know, I guess it's development work. You see where all the (HRC) guys are hanging out.I've got my guys working and we just do the best we can.

'Soup: Did you share much information with Alex Barros or Valentino Rossi?

Hayden: Alex and I actually got along really good. Me and Alex actually worked together and would hook up sometimes. Even Valentino - I probably didn't help him too much (laughs), but he did actually help me out a few times, just following and seeing some lines, and talking about things. But, yeah, I don't think that's going to happen with this guy (Biaggi).

'Soup: You and Max came together pretty close in the pits yesterday.

Hayden: Yeah, a little bit of contact. I was coming in the pits and he pretty much pulled out of his box and ran me over. He has a lot of problems on pit road, running into riders and people. It's not the first he's had contact on pit road with somebody or bike or something. But it was just an accident, no hard feelings or anything. I probably need to pay more attention to what I was doing. He said normally his mechanic signals him when he comes out and nobody was there to signal him, so he thought he could just motor out. That's cool. It was an accident. People do mess up sometimes and that's all good.

'Soup: He was probably up to third (gear) by the time he got to you.

Hayden: No doubt. He probably fried the clutch on the way out.

'Soup: Are you looking forward to Philip Island?

Hayden: I like Phillip Island. After being here six days it is definitely nice to change it up and try something new, see what you had working here will work there. This place is a good test track, it's got a little bit of everything and good weather. Phillip Island is a different circuit, fast but flowing. The season seems far away, but it's not so far away, really.