Ducati has officially announced that they have resigned Nicky Hayden for another season in their factory team and will continue to be Casey Stoner’s team mate.
The news comes after Hayden’s his first podium at his home event at Indianapolis last weekend.
Hayden’s place in the offical team had been seriously in doubt when Ducati began their compaign to have another top rider like Jorge Lorenzo in their team.
The Spanish rider turned down Ducati’s big money offer to resign with Yamaha for another year, and then the Italian team went after Dani Pedrosa, who still hasn’t officially signed with Honda HRC, but with Hayden now firmly placed in Ducati for 2010, the diminutive Spanish rider will probably announce his contract at Misano.
Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Motor Holding Manager:“The confirmation of Nicky is the right reward to a rider who has shown to perfectly embody the frame of mind that characterizes Ducati – Passion, Determination and Commitment.
We have always considered Nicky to be an important asset to the Ducati 2010 strategy and we are very happy that he will remain in the Ducati MotoGp Team.
His progression through the season has been constant up to the podium in Indianapolis and we are certain that the experience he has gained will be decisive for a 2010 season full of success.
”Nicky Hayden:“This has been a very good week and this news just adds to that.
After the good result in Indy, now to renew the deal with Ducati is exactly what I wanted.
I’m very happy.
I always had faith and believed that we could achieve good results.
I’m excited for these last five races of the 09 season, and if you look at the progression we have made from the start of the season to the middle, hopefully we will continue this through to the end.
I just wish to say a big thanks to all the guys who made this happen, especially everybody in Ducati as well as all our sponsors and I’m sure I’ll be able to do a good job next year and to continue to build with, and be part of, the Ducati family”.
Hayden who has had a tough first season on the Ducati Desmosedici is currently 12th in the championship standings.