Ducati´s confirmation of the season´s most exciting reshuffle –Nicky Hayden´s signing for the factory team- creates a formidable lineup for the Italian manufacturer in their quest for 2009 glory, and Ducati MotoGP Project Manager Livio Suppo sees his new acquisition as the ideal man to partner existing rider Casey Stoner next season.

Commenting on the coup for the 2006 MotoGP titlist, and his pairing with the current World Champion –something of an open secret in the paddock and press- Suppo declared:

`We´re very happy to have Nicky onboard. Everybody knew about it or was speaking about it for a lot of weeks! We are delighted to have come to an agreement with him. I really believe that he´s the best teammate for Casey and that he can do a good job next year.´

Hayden´s first encounter with the Desmosedici GP9 will come on October 27th, the day after the final round of the present season at Valencia, after the `Kentucky Kid´ received special permission from Honda to make an early switch. Suppo is confident that his new charge´s `rough and ready´ style will afford him homology with the Ducati machine.

`I want to thank HRC for allowing Nicky to ride our bike immediately after Valencia, and I am really looking forward to seeing him on the bike. I think that his aggressive and spectacular style will fit well with the bike,´ he concluded.

Aside from pairing two MotoGP World Champions in the Ducati garage, the addition of Hayden –and departure of current rider Marco Melandri- also means that the Italian outfit will not be fielding a `home´ rider for the first time since their arrival in MotoGP back in 2003.

2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden has been officially announced as a Ducati rider for next season, joining current titlist Casey Stoner in the Italian manufacturer´s star-studded factory team lineup.

The announcement follows Hayden´s first podium of 2008, taken at last Sunday´s Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.

`We are really happy to have Nicky join us,´ declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Corse CEO and Ducati Motor Holding Product Director. `We are certain that his never-say-die attitude, riding style and character will be great additions to our team in 2009.´

The `Kentucky Kid´ will have his first chance to ride the Desmosedici GP9 after the final race of the season at Valencia, the scene of his 2006 title triumph. He has received special clearance from HRC to make the seamless switch. Domenicali thanked the Honda and outgoing Ducati rider Marco Melandri in the short statement

` I would like to thank HRC for allowing Nicky to start testing our bike immediately after the Valencia Grand Prix. I would also like to thank Marco Melandri for his professionalism during a difficult year, which was below all our expectations. Unfortunately his feeling with the Desmosedici was never good enough to allow him to ride as well as he can. We wish him all the best for the future.´

Hayden joins the squad after a long association with Honda, for whom he picked up titles in AMA Superbike and 990cc MotoGP competition. The Japanese factory issued a press release confirming Hayden´s departure, in which both parties expressed their gratitude for their time together. Like Ducati´s acknowledgement of Melandri´s tough time with their 800cc bike, Honda also made mention of Hayden´s own difficulties with the RC212V.

`We wish to thank Nicky for all he has achieved for Honda both as a rider and a man. Nicky and Honda have shared much success and a few disappointing days but in each case Nicky has always behaved cheerfully and has led the team in a positive way. His warm-hearted character has been much loved by all who have worked with him,´ stated HRC president Masumi Hamane.

`Nicky raced the 990cc RC211V with great success but since the technical regulations reduced MotoGP engine capacity to 800cc, both Nicky and HRC have tried our best but we have been unable to find the best balance between rider and machine necessary for Nicky to show his full potential, so we have decided to part company at the end of the season.

`We want to thank Nicky who always tried positively under tough conditions. We respect him for his brave challenging spirit. We wish Nicky good luck for the future with his new challenge. Nicky is a good guy loved by all, but also he is a tough competitor and I am sure he will be tough to beat next season.´

Hayden himself singled out Honda for praise, although he would not talk about the 2009 season just yet with four more races to go in the current campaign.

`(My time with Honda) It´s something I´ve enjoyed a lot. I want to thank everybody there, all the guys from tyre technicians to crew chiefs and all the way up. Sure, it hasn´t just been one big holiday, along the way there´s been some tough days but a lot of good days too,´ said the American.

`I´d just like to thank everyone, and the best way to thank them is to put up some results these last few races. That´s the plan.´

extract from http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2008/Hayden+joins+Ducati+for+2009