MotoGP Contract News
What better time to announce Nicky Hayden’s contract renewal than before the U.S. Red Bull Grand Prix?
Hayden, the Kentuckian who will turn 31 on Monday, has extended his MotoGP contract with the Ducati Team through the 2013 season. This year marked Hayden’s fourth year with Ducati, and his 10th year in MotoGP.
The 2006 MotoGP Champion (Repsol Honda) is currently teammates with Valentino Rossi, who has not yet reported on where he’ll be in 2013. Since joining Ducati in 2009, Hayden finished 13th that year, seventh in 2010, and eighth in 2011. After nine of 18 rounds in the 2012 MotoGP Championship, Hayden is in eighth place in points, his best finish a sixth place at Qatar, Le Mans and Assen.
While competing on a Ducati, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer says “during that time, he has become extremely popular with fans and Ducatisti all over the world, thanks to his reliably positive outlook, his passion, and his determination.”
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team GP12 MotoGP) says: “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.”
Ducati reports that the United States hosts no fewer than 45 DOCs (Ducati Owners Clubs) and on Sautrday thousands of fans will have the opportunity to meet Hayden at Ducati Island, an area at Laguna Seca where Ducatisti gather to follow the race and experience the “red passion.”
Following the afternoon qualifying session, Nicky Hayden himself will visit the Island’s stage, where many spectators and fans will no doubt be excited to join him in celebrating the news of his renewal with the Ducati Team.
