Hayden reckons Ducati MotoGP bike is a handful

**racerhead** · 14th January 2009, 21:06

Marlboro Ducati's Nicky Hayden has said he thinks his Desmosedici MotoGP bike isn't going to be an easy thing to tame but is relishing the season ahead with such a powerful engine.

The former Honda man, who was speaking at the factory's Vroom jolly in Italy, said that although he had only two outings on the bike he feels that tracks like Qatar and Sepang are going to suit him.

"Obviously I need to get faster in order to be truly competitive but I already love the bike. I can’t say it’s easy to ride, it gets pretty loose on corner exit sometimes but the engine is powerful and that is important, especially in a race situation," said Hayden.

"The chassis is nice and stiff so you get plenty of feedback and I like the feeling with the front, which is really stable in the fast corners. So far we have only had two test sessions at Valencia and Jerez, which are tight and twisty tracks, and I think that at places like Malaysia and Qatar it will be even better.

“I know what a huge opportunity I’ve been given and I’m very grateful to Ducati, Marlboro and everybody who has shown faith in me in this new chapter of my career.

"I was immediately struck by the dedication and passion that the team is famous for and by how hard everybody is trying to make me feel comfortable in these new surroundings, as they have done helping me adapt to the bike and get the most out of it. So far everything has gone really well.

I’m happy to be working with Casey – we’ve known each other for a few years now, you could say we’ve got similar backgrounds having not come up through European competition and having started out racing in dirt-track.

We’re both competitive and we’re going to want to beat one another but we’ll also work together to make a strong team. As far as my expectations for the season are concerned, I still have a lot of faith in myself and in what I’m capable of. The first objective is to get back to the same level I was at in 2006, challenging consistently for the podium and trying to start winning races again.”
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**Ivan** · 14th January 2009, 21:15

Nicky Is my favourite GP rider he hardly blames gear if you read his reports he blames himself its good to see his dedication to and I believe he IS capable of another title

Gonna be an interesting season

**piston broke** · 14th January 2009, 21:22

cool.
bring it on

**sosman** · 14th January 2009, 22:15

Go nickey show Marco M how its done!

**Bren_chch** · 16th January 2009, 10:08

he needs an interpreter!!

**Backmarker** · 16th January 2009, 10:18

He may well find Valentino a handful as well.....

**NZsarge** · 16th January 2009, 10:19

Yeah Nicky H seems like a real nice guy, sense of humour and all, best of luck to him.
Will certainly be interesting to see how he goes against Stoner...
Make no mistake, that Ducati will be developed to Stoner's liking first and foremost (as you'd expect) but coming from similar racing backrounds that might be just fine for Nicky.

**flame** · 16th January 2009, 22:15

GO NICKY

**slowpoke** · 16th January 2009, 23:04

Originally Posted by flame

GO NICKY

Vicky and Nicky, Nicky and Vicky, I'll be dang'd if that ain't the purdiest soundin' couple I ever did hear...........

**flame** · 17th January 2009, 16:03

Originally Posted by slowpoke

Vicky and Nicky, Nicky and Vicky, I'll be dang'd if that ain't the purdiest soundin' couple I ever did hear...........

lol, I WISH

he got him a real purrrrdy mouth.

**pritch** · 17th January 2009, 17:34

I didn't particularly like Hayden. Don't know why, just an accumulation of entirely superficial impressions. Having now read of his difficulties during the last season, many of which were occasioned by "the serially ill-advised" Pedrosa and/or his mentor Puig, I now have considerable sympathy for the guy. Hayden has maintained his dignity throughout what must have been a trying time.

In recent years the Desmosedici has been the rock on which a number of notable careers have foundered. Capirossi, Milandri, and even Elias were potential winners before they started wobbling around at the back of the field on the Ducati. And now for 2009 Ducati have a new plastic frame...

I hope Davizioso doesn't get psyched by the Pedrosa/Puig bullshit and that he and Hayden can at least be competitive.

Still backing Rossi to win though...

**slowpoke** · 18th January 2009, 05:50

Originally Posted by pritch

I didn't particularly like Hayden. Don't know why, just an accumulation of entirely superficial impressions. Having now read of his difficulties during the last season, many of which were occasioned by "the serially ill-advised" Pedrosa and/or his mentor Puig, I now have considerable sympathy for the guy. Hayden has maintained his dignity throughout what must have been a trying time.

In recent years the Desmosedici has been the rock on which a number of notable careers have foundered. Capirossi, Milandri, and even Elias were potential winners before they started wobbling around at the back of the field on the Ducati. And now for 2009 Ducati have a new plastic frame...

I hope Davizioso doesn't get psyched by the Pedrosa/Puig bullshit and that he and Hayden can at least be competitive.

Still backing Rossi to win though...

Yep, Hayden has really risen in my estimation as well, especially with the way he came back from injury in the second half of last season on a bike that was clearly designed for someone else.

I dunno 'bout Elias and Capirossi underperforming though. Capirossi would have been challenging for the Championship in 2006 but for that massive accident with Gibernau. Elias has also had his moments and I reckon he's done enough to keep a ride, considering he's on a satellite bike.

As for Melandri, he's just been counting the races until he can find another ride and not long into the season Ducati were feeling the same way.

The carbon frame isn't a new idea, aftermarket manufacturers have been making them for 748-998's for years (see below). The problem at MotoGP level though has been making 2 or more exactly the same. Or quantifying modifications: are the results from the design change or a variation in the carbon fibre? Manufacturers have even gone to the extent of machining billet frame spars etc to remove the slight variations associated with cast or extruded sections so Ducati must have some flash harry production techniques with carbon fibre.

**pritch** · 18th January 2009, 09:53

Originally Posted by slowpoke

Capirossi would have been challenging for the Championship in 2006 but for that massive accident with Gibernau.

In 2006 Capirossi was a real threat. On the winning 2007 bike though he was a non-event and was given the push.

He was moved to a rueful "Don't blame me!"
(Or words to that effect.)

**discotex** · 18th January 2009, 10:30

Nicky is a true sportsman. Never has a bad thing to say about anything and always gives other riders credit even when it's obvious he's had tyre issues etc.

I loved his comments about Stoner when moving to Ducati.

Something like - "I've always wondered if it's the bike or the rider and now I'll get to find out."

Then after his first test - "Whatever they're paying him it's not enough!"

**Crasherfromwayback** · 18th January 2009, 13:24

Originally Posted by discotex

Nicky is a true sportsman. Never has a bad thing to say about anything and always gives other riders credit even when it's obvious he's had tyre issues etc.

I loved his comments about Stoner when moving to Ducati.

Something like - "I've always wondered if it's the bike or the rider and now I'll get to find out."

Then after his first test - "Whatever they're paying him it's not enough!"

+1. It's always irked me that people have knocked Hayden...after all...he won the title fair and sqaure against Rossi in '06, and has never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything.

He seems like a really laid back cat...but massively motivated. Nuffin wrong with that!

As much as I'm a Stoner fan, I'd love to see Hayden 'click' with the Duke and have a great season.