Author Topic: Nicky Hayden leaving Honda, going Ducati (Read 3850 times)

Rocking-M · « **on:** August 20, 2008, 01:30:42 PM »

Hey, Nickey is a class act too!

American rider Nicky Hayden has agreed terms to ride for Ducati as teammate to world champion Casey Stoner in 2009. The formal announcement of Hayden’s deal is expected at next week’s San Marino Grand Prix at Misano, which is close to Ducati’s Bologna headquarters.

Hayden’s departure from the factory Repsol Honda team comes as no surprise with the 2006 world champion keen to seek a new challenge. For some time Hayden has been frustrated with the political and technical turmoil of the HRC squad.

Hayden’s Ducati deal ends his long association with Honda and has come as a big shock to the management of Honda USA who have lost a valuable marketing asset.

Ducati team boss Livio Suppo said the team has always admired Hayden and his attitude to racing.

“Last year no one gave enough credit as a rider to Casey, except maybe Nicky, plus he’s used to having a stronger teammate,” Suppo said. “In the beginning at Honda he was with Valentino Rossi and then with Dani Pedrosa and he has a lot of things that make us think he would be the best teammate
for Casey.

“And we don’t have to worry about his consistency and I think he is a good, complimentary teammate for Casey. On the other hand you can always have a young rider and if he’s a rookie he has no pressure to do anything.

“We hope to confirm everything for Ducati’s 2009 plans by the end of this month, if not then at Indianapolis.”

In 2007, as the defending world champion with the #1 plate, Hayden was happy to acclaim Stoner’s riding talent as the young Australian took his world title. Hayden never claimed a Ducati power, electronics, or Bridgestone tire advantage as the main excuse for losing the title to Stoner.

“Nicky always said it was not just about the bike and tires, and he did this with the number one on his bike, which was even more difficult,” Suppo said “And this year in Assen when Casey was again very, very fast and everybody was speaking about the electronics of Ducati, it was Nicky who said, ‘Have you been out of the track to see how Casey is riding that bike?’”

CBGhia · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2008, 01:42:34 PM »

WOO HOO!!! I am so happy to see him make that move. Ducati needs his marketing potential in the states as well. I'm glad to see that happen. (not that I don't love Honda's).

upperlake04 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 20, 2008, 01:50:42 PM »

That's Ducateh!

Sam Green Racing · « **Reply #3 on:** August 20, 2008, 01:57:21 PM »

with a white maple leaf

ekim98 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 20, 2008, 02:08:45 PM »

Good for Nicky.

It's about time he got away from Honda, whom doesn't seem to concerned about raceing in any of the format's for the last couple of years. It's quite obivious Honda is resting on past performance, harley twin converts and over powered crotchrockets for beginner riders. I guess Honda figures they don't have to try anymore, especially in the US as we Americans buy what ever they want to sell here. I hope Nicky kicks some Honda butt next year. And yes the only bikes I ride anymore are Honda's, but they are older bikes that had my kind of style and class.

malcolmgb · « **Reply #5 on:** August 20, 2008, 02:59:16 PM »

He doesn't really have anywhere else to go, it will be interesting to see if he can ride the Ducati though. As I said on a previous thread I believe he is a good racer not a great racer. As to Honda not being concerned about their racing I think the opposite is true, they have very talented riders in MotoGP satellite teams and Pedrosa is still a real force, just need to sort out tyres. In World Superbike the new Fireblade is now being sorted and Supersport they are unbeatable. All looks good to me, but I'm in Europe

DarkRider · « **Reply #6 on:** August 20, 2008, 07:28:41 PM »

As much as i hate to see this given i just now started to pay attention to Moto GP via magazine coverage since i do not have access to cable or satilite to watch it on tv lol. From what i read in a recent article Pedrosa is starting to hold hayden back. Honda isnt helping with redesigning the RC212V to fit Pedrosa and not him. the RC211V was nickys bike. Between Stoner and Hayden Ducati is going to become a force to reckon with in future MotoGp action.

tsflstb · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2008, 07:40:12 PM »

I hope he finally breaks out and wins more races with Ducati. Something about that bike - either you can ride it or you can't. Stoner has the same dirt track backround as Hayden, so maybe Hayden will like it too.

It's hard to watch Marco Melandri - a 250 champion and multiple GP winner struggle like he has on the Duc this year. I hope his ride with Kawasaki next year is more productive.

So is Honda bringing up another tiny 250 rider to take the empty Repsol seat? The Honda is an excellent race bike - with or without the pneumatic valve engine. Pedrosa should be right in the championship hunt if he hadn't crashed in the rain and then missed Laguna. Tires are holding the Hondas back this season. Michelin has become a circus act and is losing all credibility with the GP teams.

I just booked the plush Budget Inn in Indianapolis for the GP race next month. I'm as happy as a little girl. Who else is going?

inline4 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 20, 2008, 09:44:11 PM »

I've ALWAYS loved Honda; and been a Hayden family fan since I got back into motorcycling 5 years ago (after an 18-year hiatus).
I'm so happy for Nicky; he has the spirit and drive to be MotoGP champion; it just wasn't going to happen again on a Honda. So sad!
Looks like I'll be looking into buying a classic Duc!
...............................or Guzzi;........................................
or Lamberta.............................................................
or some more Chianti.

Rocking-M · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2008, 04:03:34 AM »

Quote from: inline4 on August 20, 2008, 09:44:11 PM

I've ALWAYS loved Honda; and been a Hayden family fan since I got back into motorcycling 5 years ago (after an 18-year hiatus).
I'm so happy for Nicky; he has the spirit and drive to be MotoGP champion; it just wasn't going to happen again on a Honda. So sad!
Looks like I'll be looking into buying a classic Duc!
...............................or Guzzi;........................................
or Lamberta.............................................................
or some more Chianti.

Here is a classic. I can go by and look at it for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-F1-B-1986-Ducati-F1-B-750_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6026QQihZ013QQitemZ230282957470QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Terry in Australia · « **Reply #10 on:** August 21, 2008, 04:18:03 AM »

Nicky's a nice bloke, and should get on well with Casey, I hope he does well on the Duke, as has been said here before me, you can either ride one well, or not at all.

I would have loved to see the Maestro, Rossi, finish his remarkable career on a Duke, but who knows what's around the corner in MotoGP? if Nicky doesn't star with the Ducati team, it might still happen............

inline4 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 21, 2008, 05:38:46 AM »

Quote from: Rocking-M on August 21, 2008, 04:03:34 AM

Quote from: inline4 on August 20, 2008, 09:44:11 PM
I've ALWAYS loved Honda; and been a Hayden family fan since I got back into motorcycling 5 years ago (after an 18-year hiatus).
I'm so happy for Nicky; he has the spirit and drive to be MotoGP champion; it just wasn't going to happen again on a Honda. So sad!
Looks like I'll be looking into buying a classic Duc!
...............................or Guzzi;........................................
or Lamberta.............................................................
or some more Chianti.

Here is a classic. I can go by and look at it for you.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ducati-F1-B-1986-Ducati-F1-B-750_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6026QQihZ013QQitemZ230282957470QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Mama Mia! THAT'S Italian!

I wonder how long my honey-do list would be if I talked the wife into allowing me to spend that kind of money.
Come to think of it, I wouldn't have any time left to ride.

dusterdude · « **Reply #12 on:** August 21, 2008, 06:02:16 AM »

damn,hate to see it,but i dont blame him.hope he does good.

dusterdude · « **Reply #13 on:** August 21, 2008, 06:02:39 AM »

Quote from: DarkRider on August 20, 2008, 07:28:41 PM

As much as i hate to see this given i just now started to pay attention to Moto GP via magazine coverage since i do not have access to cable or satilite to watch it on tv lol. From what i read in a recent article Pedrosa is starting to hold hayden back. Honda isnt helping with redesigning the RC212V to fit Pedrosa and not him. the RC211V was nickys bike. Between Stoner and Hayden Ducati is going to become a force to reckon with in future MotoGp action.

dude,you live in a cave?

DarkRider · « **Reply #14 on:** August 21, 2008, 06:08:38 AM »

No..just put more money in my bikes then into anything having to do with TVs lol

ProTeal55 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 21, 2008, 07:07:47 AM »

Go Ducati !

big blue · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2008, 09:01:09 AM »

The Kentucky Kid has made the best move. I will be at the MotoGP and I will have to make a Hayden Ducati hat somehow. Honda dropped the ball, and the spent all their time working with a Spanish Midget. Building bikes for Pedrosa and not focusing on the Guy who brought home the bacon in 2006 and who was supposed to be the #1 rider. I can see why though, Pedroda is a Spanish jockey and Repsol is the Spanish sponsor. Pedrosa hasn't been able to get it all together, he has had flashes of brilliance.

GO NICKY!!! Can't wait to see him at Indy.

bwaller · « **Reply #17 on:** August 21, 2008, 11:20:35 AM »

Who knows what goes on behind closed doors, but it has seemed the last couple years HRC has looked beyond young Nicky. I give him credit for not airing his dirty laundry. He does have experience on V-twins with the RC51 even if you can't compare the two beasts. Hopefully he can get up to speed on the Duke right off.

Go Nicky.

tsflstb · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2008, 12:34:42 PM »

The Duc is a V-4, just like the RC212. I think the Ducati has a "big bang" firing order, so it is basically fires like a v-twin - just with two pistons. Don't know how the Honda works, but it sounds higher pitched like it's firing opposite cylinders.

For two similar configurations, they do act very different. I think a lot of it lies in the electronic engine management. "Rider aids", etc...make all the difference now. Hopefully Nicky's brain will plug right into the Ducati Engine Control Module like Stoner's has.

One cool thing is Ducati has proved without a doubt the merit of desmodromic valves though. Decades old technology and it's competitive with all of the F1 pneumatics out there. It's something you can buy at any dealership right now too.

DarkRider · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2008, 12:54:49 PM »

Actually i think they went back with a Screamer firing order on the new 800 Ducatis...could be wrong on that one..the previous 990 Ducati used the big bang firing order.

tsflstb · « **Reply #20 on:** August 21, 2008, 01:29:10 PM »

Yeah, you're right. It was the 990 that had the "twin pulse" firing order. The 800 fires more conventionally. They mentioned something about the new fuel limits and better economy that way.

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Author Topic: Nicky Hayden leaving Honda, going Ducati (Read 3850 times)

Rocking-M

upperlake04

Rocking-M