Hayden/Ducati... and silly season

[darylbowden]

Is this a third bike or is West out?

Bartholemy didn't mention him.

It hasn't been finalized yet, but it's likely to be there.  Almost certain to have a Spanish rider given the sponsorship.

[derby]

lcr renews rdp:  http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=34211

[darylbowden]

lcr renews rdp:  http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=34211

Does Dorna need a Frenchman THIS badly?

I am simply dumbfounded that this guy still has a ride.  He had better be paying LCR.  Although, I'm pretty sure they sabotage the forks over there on a regular basis, so maybe that's why he's been crashing so much...

[derby]

honda says goodbye:

http://superbikeplanet.com/2008/Sep/080915a.htm

ducati says hello:

http://superbikeplanet.com/2008/Sep/080915d.htm

"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.

good on them for allowing him to ride the duc before january.

[ducpainter]

<snip>

good on them for allowing him to ride the duc before january.
[/quote]
Yeah...

they should button up their shirts before their hearts fall out.

[Big Troubled Bear]

Hayden were the only rider to give Stoner compliments last season, so this is payback

[gm2]

Hayden were the only rider to give Stoner compliments last season, so this is payback

no he wasn't.  just about everyone did, including rossi.

[Spidey]

http://superbikeplanet.com/2008/Sep/080915a.htm

Reading between the lines of that press release is interesting.  The strong praise was for Nicky's character and personality, not his riding.

Ok, I was unofficially excited and apprehensive before.  Now I'm officially excited and apprehensive.  I *really* hope he can ride the Duc and get it set up properly. 

[desmoquattro]

Reading between the lines of that press release is interesting.  The strong praise was for Nicky's character and personality, not his riding.

Ok, I was unofficially excited and apprehensive before.  Now I'm officially excited and apprehensive.  I *really* hope he can ride the Duc and get it set up properly. 

Ditto. It's a huge marketing coup for Ducati. Just imagine how big Ducati Island will have to be next year

Oh, and there's nothing like having two former world champs on your racing team

[ZLTFUL]

Now all we need is for Pedrobot to not win a championship on a Honda...talk about some grand absolution for Nicky.

Hope the Kid does well on the Duc. Once again, while I am the biggest Ross fanboy on the planet, I wish nothing but the best for Duc/Casey/Nicky. They are always welcome to finish second to Vale. 

Besides, Pedro, Biaggi, and Gibernau are the only 3 riders I really have any hatred for. The rest of the riders have redeeming qualities I admire.

[derby]

The rest of the riders have redeeming qualities I admire.

like capirossi punting his aprilia teammate into the gravel in the last turn of the last race to "win" his 250gp championship? redeeming quality indeed.

[Triple J]

like capirossi punting his aprilia teammate into the gravel in the last turn of the last race to "win" his 250gp championship? redeeming quality indeed.

I think he meant Capirossi's wife. 

[gm2]

from the other-worst-kept-secret department....

Dovizioso hints at works Honda deal

[RndHoleSqPeg]

Ducati Corse hereby announces that Nicky Hayden will join its factory MotoGP team for 2009. The 27-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky, will line up alongside Casey Stoner and will make his debut on the Desmosedici GP9 on the 27th October in a test immediately following the Valencia Grand Prix.

From that article they state he will be on a GP9, isn't Stoner still on the GP8?

[Spidey]

Ducati Corse hereby announces that Nicky Hayden will join its factory MotoGP team for 2009. The 27-year-old from Owensboro, Kentucky, will line up alongside Casey Stoner and will make his debut on the Desmosedici GP9 on the 27th October in a test immediately following the Valencia Grand Prix.

From that article they state he will be on a GP9, isn't Stoner still on the GP8?

Stoner's on the GP8 right now, but won't be after the season is done.  They're going to start testing the GP9 (next years' bike) right after the last race, which is Valencia.