Grapevine: Hayden inaugurates Indy track
Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden kicked off the build-up to the first ever MotoGP race at Indianapolis by riding a vintage Indian bike around the track
The 2006 world champion got fully into his role, wearing vintage helmet and leathers to ride the machine that took part in the first Indy race in 1909.
"When the bike first fired up I wondered what I'd got myself into," said Hayden. "Then when I was doing about 40mph down the straight it felt like a hundred.
"I really enjoyed the ride though, especially my old school helmet, that was my favourite part.
"It is a real honour to be the first rider to lap the new Indy track and I can't wait to get out there on a MotoGP bike in September.
"I expect most of my hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky, to be there. They may have to close the town down that day."
Hayden later rode a Honda CBR1000RR around the circuit, which will host its first MotoGP race on 14 September.
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