MotoGP returned to the United States in 2005, two decades after its last visit. The Laguna Seca circuit was the venue chosen for the occasion, where it had been run for the last time in 1994, and only the drivers of the premier class competed.

2005 was turning out a monologue by Valentino Rossi. In his second year with Yamaha the Italian had won six of the first seven races, coming second in the remaining. However, Laguna Seca was going to change everything.

Four local riders were on the MotoGP grid that year – Nicky Hayden , Colin Edwards , Kenny Roberts and John Hopkins – and from the start it was clear they had an advantage. However, it was Troy Bayliss who struck first in FP1, drawing on his knowledge of the Monterrey (California) track from his time in WorldSBK. 

In that first practice session, Rossi could only finish sixth, something that would not change in the other two free practices, dominated by Hayden. The Kentucky driver also took pole, although the Italian was already second. 

In the race, Hayden’s dominance was evident from the start. Only Rossi made things difficult for him from behind, but halfway through the race he was passed by Edwards and certified the local double, with the Italian completing the podium in his worst result of the year to date.

Hayden sounded the Star-Spangled Banner five years later in MotoGP. The American, who until then had barely had four podium finishes in his two seasons in the World Championship, finished seventh in the championship with fourth place as the best result.

A year later, the #69 won its third and last MotoGP victory at Laguna Seca, giving an almost definitive blow to the championship that it would end up winning in Valencia.

Results of the 2005 MotoGP United States Grand Prix