MOTOGP » Hayden 'enjoys' Ducati debut

With the new rules though you can't take it too easy, as you don't have enough tyres, they will have to gain serious info from the test as restrictions are now tougher...
There is little doubt each rider will be pushing themselves to an extent, especially the guys who've changed...

79 laps....

did NH had the most laps?

such a hard worker... enough to make you wish him a win or so...

anyway, NH is one classy character willing to be a test mule if it would help the team.. can i hire two of him in my fantasy motogp team?

Folks, this is nothing more than a shake down test. Nothing even remotely meaningful can be taken for any of the testing over the next couple of days other than all riders seem to be adjusting well. But this is not serious testing, it's just familiarization with the bike and team for many riders.

ducati suite him. the bike is as wild as him. so stoner, watch your back!!

I agree with RXRacer. Nicky is very likeable, classy and talented - a good guy all round. I'd love to see him do really well on the duke, but I just can't get excited about his first day on the bike. Let's hope the 2nd day goes better..........

"Did you not here about the secret test melandri has already done back in japan? "

Yeah, one of the MotoGP commentators here in Australia mentioned that last weekend. He evidently got caught doing it. I never read or heard anything about it. Would have been a serious breach of contract, but I doubt he really cared by that point.

Replying to 'Truth'. Did you not here about the secret test melandri has already done back in japan? Not his first time on the bike

"Pretty big call Nigel!....."

Massive. And like quite a few people, you underestimate what Casey does, and just how good he is.

I like Nicky and hope he comes to terms with the Desmosedici, but I wouldn't bank on him outpacing Stoner 'on a regular basis'. If he adapts well to the GP9 I have no doubt he'll occasionally outpace Stoner and possibly get the odd win, but he's just not quite in the same class as the present top 3. He's classier than most, but still not quite there. He's a cool guy and I honestly wish he was, but he's had 6 years to set to set the world alight, and history shows that the truly great riders just don't take that long.

@ Nigel tasker

"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."

Pretty big call Nigel! Nicky rides it hard but it will depend on his ability to stay precise and read the chassis, which Preziozi says are the keys to Stoners pace. Don't forget the GP7 was designed around Capirossi and Stoner was immediately a lot faster on it and Capirossi is a guy that probably would have won the title in 06.. Nicky will def be better than marco tho

Judging from his overall demeanor during his interview on MotoGP.com, I'd say he's happy.
In a nutshell - The GP9 is a beast but he already feels comfortable on it and is looking forward to getting all he can out of it....Day#1 - Yeah baby!!!