Copyright 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

Repsol Honda’s Nicky Hayden told Roadracingworld.com in a recent interview that his goal for the 2004 season is to win the MotoGP World Championship.

“No doubt my goal’s to be Champion,” said Hayden at his home in Owensboro, Kentucky. “I know for a guy who’s had two podiums in his life that’s saying a lot, to step up, but I like to set my goals high. I know I’m going to have to elevate my game, do a lot to get there, but that’s my goal, that’s what I want to do.

“I have a great bike, a great team. This year if I don’t get it done I can’t use that excuse ‘I’m a rookie’ no more and ‘I don’t know the tracks,’ this, that and carrying on.

“I’ve got a lot of confidence going into this year, definitely more than last year. I feel like this year I can focus on riding a lot more. Last year, I didn’t feel quite at home with the team, early on. It took me a while.

“I was thinking the other day when I got to Malaysia (for a test), I remember getting there last year, getting to my room and no TV, no lights, no power, and I couldn’t figure out why. I finally got a guy on the phone who spoke a little English. There you have to put the key into the (wall of the room). I’d never been to a hotel in America where you had to do that. Just little things like that. Now I know where I’m going, I know the tracks, I know where they’re at, I just feel like I can focus more on the riding and see where it’s at.

“Testing’s been good. I definitely feel like I’ve improved on the bike. Definitely working with the team has come better. My suspension guy Daisuke (Hashimoto), who came with me from the (American Honda) team in 2002, me and him are working better together than ever. He’s definitely a big plus on my side. This guy is doing some great work.

“I feel like I’m stronger on the bike. I’ve been working with a trainer, Eldon Baker, who trained Ricky (Carmichael) for a while. He’s teaching me some things. We’ll see where we’re at in about five weeks.”