[twistingasphalt.com] - Duck, Duck, Goose… Hayden Signs with Ducati

[Ninjette Newsbot]

After much speculation, today Nicky Hayden officially signed on as the second rider for Ducati’s Moto GP team for next season. The switch ends a tumultuous multi-year saga of disappointment and frustration for both Hayden and his former Honda Repsol squad.

From Roadracing World’s Newswire:

“We are really happy to have Nicky join us,” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse CEO and Ducati Motor Holding Product Director. “We are certain that his never-say-die attitude, riding style and character will be great additions to our team in 2009. I would like to thank HRC for allowing Nicky to start testing our bike immediately after the Valencia Grand Prix. I would also like to thank Marco Melandri for his professionalism during a difficult year, which was below all our expectations. Unfortunately his feeling with the Desmosedici was never good enough to allow him to ride as well as he can. We wish him all the best for the future.”

Perhaps I’m being overly nationalistic - heaven forbid in a sport entirely built around it - but I for one am definitely looking forward to seeing The Kentucky Kid in Marlboro Racing Red atop a roaring Desmosedici next season. Welcome to the world of the Ducatista Nicky…




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