After Mugello there were several rumors that Nicky Hayden would be re-signing with Ducati and just before this morning’s first free practice at Laguna Secma it was officially confirmed that American rider will spend another season with the Italian factory team.
For the Kentucky Kid, who will turn 31 on Monday, it will be his fourth full season with Ducati.
“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,” said Hayden.
Hayden has podiumed once every season since his arrival in Ducati and re-confirming the American rider is a very smart move by the Italian manufacturer as the US is one of Ducati’s best selling markets and the hard-working and never complaining Hayden is also a great PR representative for the company.
Team mate Valentino Rossi is expected to announce where he is going – everyone is convinced that it will be Yamaha – at Indianapolis after seeing where he ends up in Sunday’s race.
