Troy Bayliss did as well and Colin Edwards too.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
I like Topshelf Raspberry YooHoo as much as anyone but let's look at the track record of former WSBK riders in Moto GP and visa versa.
No rider from outside the Moto GP series itself has won the title there in the last thirty two years aside from Nicky Hayden. Spies had a chance, Bayliss threatened but Colin, Hopkins, Haga, Toseland, Corser and Fogarty all washed out of the series unremarkably.
In contrast, Moto GP riders going into SBK have taken titles on a few occasions. Biaggi, Checa, Bautista, Corser (when he returned to SBK from GP), even Guintoli also took WSBK titles coming in from GP.
The best thing (to me) about Hayden's Moto GP title is that he went into the final race down nine points or so and won by three when, on a rare occasion, Vale choked. "To finish first, one must first finish".
I believe he'll struggle to find the top five, even if Yamaha pulls off a miracle on the bike development next season.
