"I didn't know if I was going to have to fight the guys ahead of me because if you get in a dogfight with Loris and Troy you know you're going to take some chances. But I stayed close enough that I felt like I was going to be able to go for it if I needed to. Then I saw "P3 OK" on my pit-board and I had faith in my team that they had figured it out that I was safe. Then I just tried to be smooth and tried to be smooth. Honestly I didn't know it was over until the chequered flag. It feels really good to beat a guy like Rossi because he's a real competitor with seven world titles and that just makes it that much more rewarding.

"I really want to thank everyone involved in the Repsol Honda Team, and Michelin because it's their 5th straight title in MotoGP so a big thanks to them too. I'm looking forward to getting that number-one plate on my RCV next year," concluded Hayden, indicating that he will replace his traditional #69 for the new era of 800cc competition.

Hayden's title is Honda's first since Rossi left the factory team for Yamaha at the end of 2003.

"During the last five laps I was praying so hard for the race to finish!" confessed Repsol team manager Makoto Tanaka. "I want say from the bottom of my heart, "Congratulations and thank you very much to Nicky". We didn't win the race today but it was such a valuable result that it was like a one-two finish. Both Nicky and Dani have done the perfect job today. We've had a very eventful season but this is a fantastic moment and we can enjoy it to the full. So I want to say thank you again to the riders who have worked very hard. Also thanks to the fans and to all our sponsors for their excellent support. Now all the team can celebrate this fantastic moment together."

"First of all I wish to congratulate Nicky and thank him for bringing the title back to Honda. He rode a good clever race today," stated Satoru Horiike, managing director of HRC. "I also have to thank Dani because he also did a good job for us today. During the season we had to put in a great effort and had to cope with some problems with the clutch but finally Nicky made it."

Hayden took his first world title with two wins and 10 podiums, combined with 16 out of a possible 17 points scoring finishes.