"I want to be remembered as a legend."

Nicky Hayden was crowned MotoGP World Champion of 2006 after a thrilling finale in Valencia. In an extensive interview, he reveals what was really going through his mind and what he was feeling before and after the championship decider. In part one of the interview, Nicky talks about the pressure to succeed, the fear of failure and about his job, which is far from finished.

What has changed in your life since 29th October?

Well, things have been very busy in the US, but all good as you can imagine. It really keeps feeling better and better as the days go by. I still have this nice big grin on my face.

In the World Championship rankings you managed a 50-point lead over your challengers during the season, but in the end it turned into a pretty tight race that went in your favour. How big was the pressure in the last races, and how did you deal with it?

Yeah, the pressure was a heck of a lot down the stretch. I'm not going to act hard and pretend it wasn't. With negotiations and clutch problems, it was a heck of a lot and after Japan I admit I wasn’t getting a lot of sleep. There was a big weight on my shoulders not to let this one get away. But I believed in myself and never gave up and felt like I raised my game. For that I am very proud.

The World Championship title was a goal that you already had in mind at the start of the season, and you made that the priority over everything else in your life. Were there moments in the second half of the season when you thought you would fail?

Well, sure, after Portugal I knew it was a long shot with a hurt shoulder and 8 points in the hole. But I knew I still had hope and had to bring all I had to Valencia. Win or lose, there would be no regrets because I've never taken short cuts to get to that title in my 25 years ...

After your World Championship victory, you said: “I just believe that good things happen to good people.” What did you mean by that and what makes you a “good person” in your eyes?

Well I have a strong faith and believe I have really been blessed. And I try not to take any of it for granted or cheat the sport of my family and so I must always give my all. With me I believe what you see is what you get. I try to not put on a show for the cameras or anything like that. I'm just a kid from a small town with big dreams!

What goals remain if you have already achieved what you have always dreamed of?

Well it’s always been my dream to win multiple World Championships. When I am done with this sport I want to be remembered as a legend and for that I need more crowns! My job is far from finished and I believe my best days are still in front of me ...