MOTOGP » Hayden 'enjoys' Ducati debut

Nicky will confirm what we all know - the Ducati is the best accelerating bike in MotoGP.

Things are looking good, if Nicky can get close to Casey by 2009 - we''re all in for a treat.

More competition, more more!

Only .6 down on his Honda time? Sounds like Nicky will do well at Ducati.
I''m looking forward to next year!

Go Dude!!!

Good to hear, it will be good to see Casey get challenged by his team mate, what i wonder is how he will react if Nicky starts to out pace him because let's make no mistake about it if Nicky gets to grips with it he will do on a regular basis & I think Hayden may be even more suited to the Duke than Stoner.

0.6 seconds down from his fastest RC212V is nothing to sneeze at. He's not only dealing with a new team, but a new bike but also new tires. Really, only Hayden was on a machine with the most variables to contend with. Dovi is on a Honda (albeit more powerful) and really has to contend with the team and tires. Melandri's been on Bridgestones for a long time now, so he's just coping with bike and team. And DePuniet is just coping with new tires. So, all in all, I don't think it's that bad.

Haydem: "I found myself pretty comfortable on the bike, and I really didn't make a lot of changes to levers and handlebars."

Sounds like he said "Stoner, I'll be there soon with you...", whatever thats mean...

Malboro Ducati have gone all year with just one rider.Melandri was consistant to the last race by being at the back of the grid so is Hayden's performance really important??? Stoners scaphoid op is more critical to them. Ducati signing Nicky is more of finance than racing. An American flag on a Ducati fairing will sell loads of gear over there.I want Nicky to go well and beat Dani and the guy will work his ass off trying. Does MotoGP with Honda,Yamaha,Ducati,Suzuki,Aprilia,Kawasaki and BMW having factory teams in WSBK stand a chance, even Rossi says the racing is better and for us fans its on Eurosport, good going Dorna, well done.

Quote from Soup: "Like I told my brother, I don't know what they pay Casey but it's not enough. They need to double it, because this thing can be a monster"

He can't compare it to the RC212V because he is still on a Honda contract but he mentioned early on that the acceleration really surprised him. Interesting stuff! Good luck to him, I think his riding style will help him tame the thing. The Honda, Yamaha and Ducati factory teams are looking strong for next year and all on the same tyres. Roll on 2009

Just how long would Nicky be riding for HRC before getting next years bike?

Competition is always great...best of luck Nicky.

Dorna...you bunch of muppets I hope you choke!

FIRE EZPELETA (Preferably out of a catapult!!!)

D..eath
O..f
R..acing
N..ow
A..pplicable

Still, Hayden is running a bit slow. Slower than Dovi. 12th is not awful, but nothing to write home about. I am guessing Hayden will try a LOT harder on tuesday. We shall see. However, Hayden has always been quite fast on Q-tires preseason, and even qualifying, but that has not tranlated to a good race. Now that no Q tires everything, not only Hayden, will be a better indication.

If Hayden does get up to speed fairly quickly he has a good chance, but if not, he may very well be a heap of trouble. Will Hayden deliver?