Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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Sibling rivalry means more to the Haydens than most. "No matter what we're doing, whether it's bicycling or riding at home in the backyard or flat tracking, or whatever, we're constantly pushing each other," Tommy says of Nicky and youngest brother Roger Lee. "We're best of friends but probably as competitive as you could possibly get with one another." Tommy compares himself and Nicky to the tennis-playing Williams sisters. "I was watching the (Australian Open) last night, and I was watching Serena and Venus Williams, and I was thinking to myself just what an advantage those girls have," he says. "I'm sure they go out and practice, and they're just absolutely getting the best out of each other because they're at such a high level. And I feel that it's the same way with Nick and me. It's constantly that every day just pushing each other to get the most out of yourself. I think it's a huge advantage, and I'm sure it's the same for Ben (Bostrom) and the Goberts, anyone like that." The Hayden clan travels as a family unit, supplemented for the Eastern and Midwestern races by relatives and friends. This year will be different. They'll wake early for word on Nicky's progress overseas and will miss him at the track. "Since the beginning, we've been always going to the races together, always being around, traveled together," Tommy says. "It's definitely nice having family around. I don't really think it's going to affect D&D Exhaust anything on the track, but off the track it'll be different." Three years ago Tommy got tired of living in a room filled with Tuff Crates, so he bought a place of his own about two miles away from his parents' spread. "More times than not, I'm just sleeping over there at my house and spending my time with my family. For sure, I still eat over there pretty much every day. It's pretty bare over at my house. It'd be a pretty good place to go if you wanted to be on a diet. Not much food there." The Haydens swept the podium at the Springfield TT last year, Nicky leading Tommy and Roger Lee home. "It don't get much better than that," proud papa Earl said repeatedly as he recounted the tale during the season. Earl was a big part of it. While the boys practiced on a replica of the Springfield layout, Earl kept lap times. "It's hard to believe how close we were, and every day we're just trying to step it up for bragging rights there around the house," Tommy says. "It's good competitive. " Tommy might do a few TTs this year, but with more forethought. "If I do do it this year I'll be a little more prepared," he says. "Growing up, all I ever looked forward to is winning some dirt tracks. I'd definitely like to add a couple more of those to my resume," along with a Supersport Championship, a Superbike Championship, and whatever else the future holds. eN (81 7) 834--8961 VVVVV'V.danddexhaust.com cue I ... n ... _ S • FEBRUARY 26, 2003 41