Hayden seals the deal at Ducati

MotoGP News
Date: 27/July/2012

Just two factory MotoGP seats remain available for the 2013 season after Nicky Hayden was confirmed on a new one-year deal at Ducati.

The American, 31 on Monday, has been with the Italian factory ever since leaving Honda at the end of 2008.

Hayden’s new contract was announced on the opening morning of his home US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

Haden said: “I’m very happy that I’ll be back with Ducati and back in MotoGP, racing at the highest level for a very important team. I love the guys I work with, I love the Ducati fans, and I love the brand.

“This is an important time for Ducati in a number of ways, and I’m excited that I’ll continue to be a part of it. I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business here, and hopefully we can get all the pieces into place and reap the rewards of the hard work we’ve put in the last couple of years.

“It’s nice to be able to make this announcement at Laguna and to share the moment with my fans, friends and family. If I can do a good result on Sunday, it could make for a pretty special birthday weekend.”

The 2006 world champion for Honda, Hayden has taken just three podiums since joining Ducati, where he has raced alongside Casey Stoner and now Valentino Rossi.

Speculation over Rossi’s future is reaching fever pitch with the struggling MotoGP legend considering a switch back to Yamaha in an attempt to regain his winning ways.

For continuity reasons, it is rare for a factory team to change both its riders and Hayden’s speedy deal - after earlier suggestions he could lose his seat to Cal Crutchlow - appears to reflect the uncertainly at Ducati over Rossi’s intentions.

Earlier this week Ben Spies announced that he will not continue at the Yamaha team beyond the end of this season, making the second M1 ride alongside 2012 championship leader Jorge Lorenzo officially available.

That seat, and Rossi’s present Ducati ride, are now the only 2013 factory vacancies. Honda has already named its future line-up in the form of Dani Pedrosa and rookie Marc Marquez, who replaces the retiring Stoner.