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Misano WSBK: Hayden admits 'rider error' caused crash

Nicky Hayden took full responsibility for the crash that ended his hopes of winning the first World Superbike race at Misano.

The Honda rider had enjoyed topping the timesheets during Friday practice, qualifying well and had started the race in contention but crashed out at Turn 16 just as he was about to complete his second lap.

“It looked like an opportunity to have a decent result but that’s racing,” said the American. “That’s how it goes.

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“I just lost the front in the last corner, there’s a couple of little bumps there and we’ve looked at the data.

“We’re talking a k and a half faster than the lap before – I went through that corner quicker yesterday but this lap on Turn 13 [Davide] Giugliano crashed and I kind of had to wait to open the gas.

“I just pushed too hard to try to stay with the Kawasakis so it was just a rider error.”

Despite his disappointment at crashing out of race one, the former MotoGP world champion is optimistic for the remainder of his weekend.

“We were quite okay this morning, we improved and even in qualifying I didn’t do a great lap but less than a tenth from the front row which was our target,” said Hayden. “It was definitely the closest we’ve been to the front row this year.”

His team-mate Michael Van Der Mark took an excellent third and Hayden believes it will serve as both encouragement and confidence that he can do better in race two, an opportunity he's grateful for as he seeks to make amends.

“Yeah, he performed very well,” he said. “I’m definitely glad I don’t have to go home right now.”

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