Ducati GP10

Both Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner rode the new 2010 Ducati Desmosedici GP10 at the Sepang MotoGP test held on February 4th and 5th. Ducati is working hard to regain the competitive advantage they brought to their championship-winning 2007 season. The GP10 prototype tested has some major changes from last year’s GP9.

The 2009 MotoGP season ended with Dani Pedrosa winning the Grand Prix of Valencia and a possible sneak preview at a powerful American trio in the premier class in 2010.

Pedrosa led from start to finish on his Repsol Honda in the 30-lap race Nov. 8 at the Ricardo Tormo circuit after pole sitter Casey Stoner crashed out of the event during the warm-up lap on his Ducati. Spaniard Pedrosa controlled the gap to second place Valentino Rossi in the closing laps despite strong winds, holding off 2008 Red Bull Indianapolis GP winner Rossi by 2.630 seconds for the home victory.

Ducati North America, Nicky Hayden and the Make-A-Wish Foundation are pleased to announce today a charity auction for the helmet Nicky wore en route to a podium finish at the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.

Two weeks ago, at Nicky Hayden’s first Indianapolis race aboard a Ducati, Nicky unveiled this special helmet to celebrate what would be a historic moment. With his home crowd cheering him on, Nicky took his first podium of the year and his first podium while riding for Ducati.

Ducati Corse is hereby pleased to announce that Nicky Hayden will sign a one year extension to his current agreement and will line up alongside Casey Stoner in the Ducati Marlboro Team for 2010.

"The confirmation of Nicky is the right reward to a rider who has shown to perfectly embody the frame of mind that characterizes Ducati – Passion, Determination and Commitment." said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Motor Holding General Manager.

WHERE: Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Circuit is 2.621 miles (4.218 km), with 16 turns (left turns – 10, right turns – 6). MotoGP race is 28 laps, 250cc race is 26 laps, 125cc race is 23 laps.

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 30. MotoGP race: 3 p.m. (ET); 250cc race: 1:15 p.m.; 125cc race: Noon. It is the 12th of 17 events this season for MotoGP, the 11th of 16 events this season for 125cc and 250cc.

2008 RACE WINNERS

Given his frustrating year so far a Hayden victory at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Brickyard would be a surprise, but in the tricky conditions last season the tough Kentuckian battled to second place in a curtailed motorcycle race – sending the American MotoGP fans into ecstasy, just as he did with his famous 2005 & 2006 wins on U.S. soil at Laguna Seca round.

Nicky Hayden Speaks…

Colin Edwards Speaks…

"I’ve never really had a result worth a damn there (Brno), be it in Superbike or MotoGP. I’ve always thought of myself as a good chicane rider, but there it’s just chicane after chicane after chicane. We’ll have to change that this year. It’s about momentum. I don’t know about shortening the bike up. Usually you shorten it up, and your mid-corner speed might drop a little bit. We might run with what we’ve got. What we had at Donington seemed to be in the right direction. I think we got some more information, as well.

The MotoGP World Championship arrived at Donington Park for the final time today as the first practice session for the British Grand Prix took place in conditions that have been synonymous with the Leicestershire circuit since it first hosted the event back in 1987. A mixture of sunshine and rain made it difficult for the riders on track and whilst the lap times were a long way off record pace in a session that started wet and ended virtually dry, the Ducati Marlboro Team riders were both competitive and satisfied with their performance.

Casey Stoner Speaks…