MOTOR CYCLING:AMERICAN NICKY Hayden will have to make amends on the track after admitting yesterday that he had ruined the launch of Ducati's new MotoGP bike by posting pictures of it on his own website.
The 2006 world champion, who finished a lowly 13th last season, visited the factory for an early glimpse of the 2010 bike but did not realise the design was meant to be secret.
The GP10 was supposed to be unveiled this week at an Italian motorsport convention in the mountains, where Fernando Alonso will also meet the media for the first time as a Ferrari Formula One driver tomorrow.
“When I saw the bike I took a picture on my phone. I should have known better, I was like a kid,” Hayden said ahead of the season opener in Qatar on April 11th.
“I just put a picture on my website. It probably got me in the doghouse a bit. It happens.”
Hayden believes the departure of team principal Livio Suppo for Honda will not adversely affect Ducati this season, especially given the strengths of the new bike.
“I like the bike, while another off-season with the team will be a big help for me,” said the 28-year-old, who is in his second year at Ducati and has brothers racing in Superbikes and the American domestic championship.
“Sure the bike is good and we have a strong package for 2010. There’s been a few changes in the team. With changes you have big opportunities.”
Hayden’s only worry is the enforced use of fewer engines this season in a further bid for MotoGP to cut costs.
“Six engines is not a lot for 18 races. I hope it saves some money but I’m not sure how much it is going to save because it takes a lot of development to make them last,” he said.
Team-mate Casey Stoner, the 2007 champion, is itching to challenge again this season after injuries and illness.
He had to skip three races last season with a mystery ailment which was eventually diagnosed as lactose intolerance after critics had suggested the problem was all in his head.
“Blood tests showed I was okay for a normal person,” remarked the Australian, who said athletes needed to be extra healthy.
“No one was listening to me so I don’t believe I have to answer any questions.
“It’s the first off-season in three years I’ve not had an injury,” he added.
Stoner, fourth last year, thinks he has detected a chink in the armour of world champion Valentino Rossi while he is looking forward to the 2012 season when engines will increase to 1,000cc.
“Sometimes Valentino can be very quick on the weekend but then struggles in a race,” said Stoner, who wants to race cars like Rossi when they both retire.
“I like 1,000cc. We’ll hopefully get a bit of grunt out of them, a bit more fun.”
