Hayden welcomes fresh start at Ducati
Added on Wednesday, January 14th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Hayden had a frosty relationship with Pedrosa and the Honda management.
Nicky Hayden anticipates a good atmosphere in the Ducati garage next season after teaming up with new teammate Casey Stoner.
The 27-year-old has joined up with the Italian manufacturer for 2009 and his looking forward to joining forces with his off-track friend Stoner as Ducati look to reclaim the manufacturer’s championship that they won in 2007.
The “Kentucky Kid” is himself keen to distance himself from his recent fall out with Honda and former teammate Dani Pedrosa and is looking forward to the fresh start at Ducati.
“The team wants us to work together and to help one another. They are giving me what I need to go quickly and it’s up to me to do my job,” he said.
“I think my style of riding will adapt well to the machine, plus I’ve always got on well with Casey. I think we’ll form a strong team.”
Hayden, who joined Ducati from the Honda factory team at the end of the season just past, had a frosty relationship with Honda teammate Pedrosa, his agent Alberto Puig and the HRC management in a saga that dates back to 2006.
Then, with Hayden chasing the title on the penultimate round of the championship, a mistake by Pedrosa sent both riders skidding into the gravel to hand Valentino Rossi the lead in the championship going into the final round. Hayden later went on to secure the title on the final day of the season from Rossi but the relationship between the two riders in the Honda garage never recovered.
Pedrosa’s manager Puig came into the argument shortly after Hayden’s announced move to Ducati, branding the 2006 champion a “hypocrite” and suggesting that it was Pedrosa who was carrying the factory team.
Hayden reportedly responded on the final day of the season by replacing the HRC logos on his bike with PRC logos - thought to be a reference to Puig’s influence over the team - before Honda management forced him to remove them.
Stoner also spoke highly of his new colleague as he prepares to reclaim the world championship that he won in 2007.
“Nicky’s always been very good to me. We’ll try to adapt his bike as well as possible. As we’re both English-speakers communication will be easier,” he said.
