Nicky Hayden goes into 2007 as the reigning MotoGP World Champion having achieved his lifelong dream to take the ultimate prize in motorcycle racing last year. In one of the most extraordinary seasons of Grand Prix action ever seen, the 25-year-old rider from Kentucky, USA displayed all his reserves of talent and determination to clinch the championship at the dramatic final round at Valencia. He is only the second rider in the history of the premier class to have taken the title having come into the last race behind on points.

Hayden joined the Repsol Honda Team in 2003, having demonstrated his immense talent in the United States by becoming the youngest ever AMA Superbike Champion at 21. Prior to this he had lifted the AMA Supersport title in 1999, but it’s his background in the tough world of dirt-track racing that imbued Nicky with the resilience and bike control that has taken him to the very top of the world.

Entering his fifth year with the factory Honda team Nicky is enjoying a period of stability and a strong working relationship with Chief Mechanic Pete Benson and the rest of his crew. A willingness to learn and to constantly push his own performance has seen Hayden improve year on year, and there’s no sign that the American plans to halt that process.

From motorcycle racing stock, almost Nicky’s entire family are motorcycle racers with father Earl having been a dirt-track rider, and brother Tommy and Roger-Lee both professional riders in the US. Even mother Rose and sister Jenny have raced bikes.

For 2007 Hayden faces the fresh challenge of the 800cc era with a brand new machine in the shape of the Honda RC212V. Ready to adapt his rear-wheel-steering style to the higher corner speeds and reduced power outputs, Hayden will be determined to mount a robust defence of his title, fully aware that his rivals will have new-found motivation and respect for the 2006 World Champion.

Entering his second season in MotoGP, Dani Pedrosa is surely one of the favourites to take the 2007 title. The outrageously talented young Spaniard was already a three-time World Champion in the smaller classes when he entered the top flight at the tender age of 20 and, with the new reduced-capacity 800cc machines expected to better-suit his compact build, another title is now a distinct possibility.

Few riders have experienced a more dramatic debut season than Dani did in 2006. He took an amazing second place at the opening race and went on to score two race wins, four pole positions and claim the coveted Rookie of the Year title (an accolade he also achieved in the 125cc and 250cc classes). At the penultimate round in Portugal Dani was one of five riders still in with a mathematical chance of taking the World Championship.

No one can forget what happened during that dramatic race as Pedrosa fell taking team-mate Nicky Hayden down with him and handing the championship lead to Valentino Rossi in the process. Fiercely criticised in the press and distraught at his mistake, Pedrosa displayed both his immense speed and true character at the final round at Valencia by allowing Hayden to pass and then dropping back to protect his team-mate from attacks from behind, thus helping Hayden to clinch the title.

Pedrosa’s rise to the top has been swift. He took the 125cc crown in 2003 and back-to-back 250 titles in 2004 and 2005, becoming the youngest ever 250cc champion. Having begun his racing career on minibikes in the Spanish minibike championship at the age of 10 he took that title in 1998. Since then Dani’s talent has blossomed under the guidance of former 500cc Grand Prix winner Alberto Puig, who Dani now rates as one of his closest friends.
Never one to clown around for the TV cameras and preferring to keep his flamboyance to riding the motorcycle, some casual observers have criticised Pedrosa’s steely outward persona. But behind the race face lies a talent and intelligence that make the diminutive Spaniard one of the biggest threats to the 2007 MotoGP World Championship.