Two-time AMA Superbike champion Josh Hayes admits he faces a huge challenge when he steps into the shoes of Colin Edwards this weekend and races a MotoGP bike for the first time at Valenica's season finale.
The Graves Yamaha man was due to test the Monster Yamaha early next week but with Edwards' withdrawal following the injuries sustained in his Sepang horror crash which killed Marco Simoncelli, Hayes was given the opportunity. It will be a sea change for the American in terms of power, weight and especially tyres but he aims to give it his best.
"My aim will be to represent Yamaha and Monster Energy in the best way I possibly can while trying to do Marco and Colin proud. Obviously I am facing a huge challenge having to learn a new circuit while also trying to the adapt to the bike and the Bridgestone tyres as quickly as I possibly can," said Hayes.
"I honestly don't have any expectations going into the weekend other than to enjoy myself and do a good job for Yamaha and Tech 3. I am certainly very excited to experience Yamaha's MotoGP bike for the first time and be part of the final race in the 800cc era.
“I would like to say a huge thanks to Yamaha US, GYTR, the Monster Energy Graves Yamaha Team, the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team and Lin Jarvis from Yamaha Motor Racing for giving me this opportunity to race in Valencia. The circumstances leading to me being given this chance to ride the Yamaha YZR-M1 MotoGP machine are not how I would have chosen at all."
