Roger Lee Hayden

Roger Lee Hayden (born May 30, 1983) is an American professional motorcycle racer, the younger brother of both 2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden and AMA Superbike Championship rider Tommy Hayden.

In July 2007, Hayden made his MotoGP début as a wild card for Kawasaki at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

He piloted the Kawasaki ZX-RR to a tenth-place finish, scoring six points for Kawasaki Motors Racing.

On September 16, 2007, at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, Hayden clinched the AMA 600 Supersport championship after finishing runner-up twice during the and seasons.

Hayden's successful 2007 season was followed by injury in 2008.

Hayden fractured his arm in March 2008 during qualifying at Daytona International Speedway.

Though he recovered from his arm injury, his season was effectively brought to an end on April 19, 2008, when he was involved in a heavy crash with Robertino Pietri during qualifying at Barber Motorsports Park.

As a result of the crash, Hayden suffered three breaks to his pelvis bone, three breaks to his lower left lumbar, and severe lacerations to the pinky finger on his left hand.

Hayden's left pinky finger was eventually amputated after specialists determined that the digit could not be repaired.

Hayden did not return to AMA competition full-time until Round 3 of the 2009 AMA season at Road Atlanta.

In January 2010 the Pedercini Team announced that Hayden will join the team to contest the 2010 Superbike World Championship season, partnering Matteo Baiocco on a Kawasaki ZX-10R.

In July 2010, after Randy de Puniet's injury at the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, Team LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello acquired the services of Hayden for the United States Grand Prix.

Hayden finished the race in eleventh position, one place lower than his previous MotoGP appearance in.

Hayden also contested the Moto2 race at the Indianapolis Grand Prix, riding a Moriwaki run by former World Champion Kevin Schwantz.

(key)