Hayden om Spies.
Nicky Hayden
"Is he going to make the same impact he made in World Superbikes? I don't think a guy shows up and starts dominating.
It's a different level. I've got a lot of respect for the Superbike series, and I've ridden with a lot of those riders, but still there's a difference here. It's deeper water.
[Neil] Hodgson, [Ruben] Xaus, many guys [found it hard]... I think the transition was easier from Superbike to 990cc than to 800cc.
It's a big step. I raced in World Superbikes as a wildcard and felt pretty good about myself, but I showed up here and I saw the level.
I think it's good he's coming - he belongs in MotoGP. MotoGP keeps its status of being the premier sport. He needs to be here.
It will be exciting to see how he does. He'll make it, he's got talent, he's got determination, he's got a good Yamaha ride. He can cut it here.
I know he wants to be a World Superbike champion, and AMA and World Superbikes together will look cool on the resume, but if you want to be in MotoGP, I think he had to come now."