World Superbikes commentator Johnathon Green caught up with Nicky at Monza, where Hayden was supporting his younger brother Roger.
Nicky recorded a video message about his race in Qatar (thanks to his sister!) for the Ducati website, where he talks about getting the season off to a flying start and the presence of so many Ducati fans around the globe!
Watch the video of the World Championship stars on a boat ride in Qatar.
Nicky was one of seven of the MotoGP riders who took part in a pre-race publicity boat ride event.
The final day before the start of the 2010 MotoGP season saw seven World Championship riders enjoy a trip in a traditional wooden Dhow boat, as MotoGP stars Nicky Hayden, Loris Capirossi and Héctor Barberá, Moto2 riders Kenny Noyes and Mashel Al Naimi, and 125cc title hopefuls Marc Márquez and Pol Espargaró all took in the fantastic Doha skyline ahead of the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar.
Stopping off at the Islamic Museum in Doha, the riders posed for photographs in front of the Qatar skyline following their voyage on the Dhow boat, which was used by pearl collectors in the past.
It was a fitting start to the Grand Prix event, in which Rizla Suzuki rider Capirossi will start a landmark 300th Grand Prix, whilst Barberá (Páginas Amarillas Aspar) and Hayden were also both in excited moods as the action gets even closer. Ducati Marlboro man Hayden explained his aim for the season, and said he is “still not as close to the frontrunners as I want to be, but am happier going into the race. Last year’s 13th was not good enough, but I’m more confident now”.
Watch Nicky’s interview to MotoGP.com
Click here to watch Nicky’s interview with MotoGP.com after testing.
Despite still feeling the slight after effects of arm surgery from two weeks ago, Nicky Hayden made impressive progress on the Desmosedici GP10 of the Ducati Marlboro team at the Sepang test.
Not entirely happy with how things went on the opening day, Friday was a far more satisfying session for Hayden as he set a time of 2’00.703 – the third fastest of the test as the new engine in his GP10 prototype showed its competitiveness.
“I am obviously really happy because the changes we made yesterday afternoon that enabled me to go a couple of tenths faster despite the heat have proved to work even better today with the track in improved condition,” said Hayden. “After making small steps for the last few test sessions today we have finally taken a big leap forward and I was able to ride fast.”
He added: “The arm wasn’t too bad but it still isn’t as strong as before, which I can feel more than anything in the hard braking, and it was hard work today. Anyway, I am recovering well and now we move on from Sepang feeling really happy.”
Hayden’s team-mate Casey Stoner was second on the timesheet behind Valentino Rossi, as both the Ducati machines came inside the top three times of the test.
You’ve probably already seen these floating around the internet, but here’s a few rather hilarious videos of Nicky and his brothers clowning around with Greg White from SpeedTV!
DOB: July 30, 1981
Place: Owensboro, KY
Nicky Hayden is a former MotoGP and AMA Superbike champion who currently competes for Ducati in the MotoGP World Championship. A dirt tracker in his early years, Hayden slides his bike out of corners, making him one of the most spectacular riders to watch. Off track, the happy-go-lucky Kentuckian is a fan favourite across the globe. Read more...
| 17-19 Mar | Losail | Results |
