Nicky Hayden reckons he’s not letting the constant speculation surrounding who Ducati might sign in 2010 worry him ahead of this weekend’s Indianapolis MotoGP race.

Ducati has already tried and failed to clinch a big money swoop on Jorge Lorenzo and Italian veteran Loris Capirossi also turned down the Bologna factory before he signed a new Suzuki deal.

It was revealed in Indianapolis too that Ducati was also in pursuit of Dani Pedrosa with the Spaniard still not having committed himself to a new two-year Honda contract.

All have been linked with taking Hayden’s ride but the 2006 world champion said he was unfazed by all the constant talk linking him with the axe.

Hayden, who will find out whether he will be retained by Ducati during next weekend’s San Marino MotoGP clash in Misano, said: “I’ve been in this game long enough and like it or not, MotoGP is a business.

“And if you look at the result sheets, maybe my results wouldn’t be good enough. They’ve (Ducati) got sponsors and people to please.

“I realise that I probably made some hard phone calls on Monday with some of them 12th places. Do I like it? No, because when I look in the mirror, I see why they need to bring somebody else in because I haven’t got the results.

“So that hurts when it’s on the inside. But that’s the business and they’ve got to do what they feel best.

“I don’t know if just bringing in new guys every year is the right thing and the best way to fix the situation. So we’ll see what happens.

“I still got this challenge and really feel like we can do it and I’m not ready to give up just yet.

“So we’ll see what happens. Do I get my feelings hurt? No, I’m not that big a sissy.”

Hayden even joked about his situation when talking about the rumoured £7m-a-year offered to tempt Lorenzo away from Yamaha. “If they make me that offer they made Lorenzo, then all things will be forgotten.

“Eight million a year will patch things up pretty easy, so we’ll be good,“ laughed the Kentucky rider.

Source: MCN

Click here to watch the video of Thursday’s Press Conference

Nicky took part in Thursday’s Official Press Conference in the lead up to The Indianapolis Grand Prix. Here’s a little of what he had to say-

When Hayden took to the microphone he spoke of his pride in riding the Ducati for the first time at his true home event, which is a three hour drive from his Kentucky home. The former World Champion also joked about speculation that Lorenzo had been on the verge of joining Ducati, when he said of his own future in MotoGP, “The biggest news is that Jorge is not taking my bike! The due date is next week for our 2010 decision so maybe we’ll know something more then.”

Source: MotoGP.com

As per usual with every American GP, Nicky has another special helmet design for this weekend’s Indianapolis GP! While not quite as “explosive” as his 4th of July firecracker helmet specially made for the American GP at Laguna Seca, this design for Indy features the name of the Make a Wish Foundation, a great cause and one Nicky has supported for the majority of his career in MotoGP.

Nicky talks about his helmet design in the preview for the Indianapolis GP, below-

Nicky Hayden, Ducati MotoGP Team (14th in the championship on 57 points)

“Indianapolis is probably the race I look forward to most – it’s just three hours from my house and MotoGP now is becoming very popular. Last year it was a great weekend for me, the crowd was great and Indy did a great job in organizing their first race and made us proud of it. I would love to have another good weekend like that one. So far we have had a tough season and I would like to go there in a more confident mood but it is what it is and for sure we’ll go there and just do the absolute maximum.

I like the track itself even though it’s quite flat. The most challenging thing is that it has different kinds of asphalt on different parts of the track so it will be a challenge to find out where there is grip, where not, and to find the best set-up. Hopefully we won’t have another hurricane, the weather should be fine, so we will see how it goes.

Last but not least, at Indy I will wear a special helmet, but this time it really is “special “. It will carry the “Make a Wish” logo and other special designs, and after the race we will auction it off. All the money will go toward the Foundation which helps kids’ dreams come true. There will be pictures up on my web site to see it at nickyhayden.com. I have worked with this charity for 5 years now and it always feels good to help out such a solid cause, and yes, I have already made my wish for the weekend.”

Source: Nicky’s Official Site

The crazy speculation of just who rides where in 2010 hit full swing at the most recent MotoGP round at Brno. While some loose ends were tied up at the Czech round, some descended into even more manic than previously though!

Undoubtedly, Jorge Lorenzo holds the key to the remaining seats, and whilst his bargaining with HRC is over (current riders Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso have basic agreements with the team for the next two seasons), speculation has mounted that he is now being fiercely courted by Ducati!

MotoGPMatters have reported (sourced from GPOne) that Nicky could be potentially involved in a rider swap with Lorenzo, meaning Ducati would get the Spaniard (who’s alleged to be tempted by a massive salary in the range of 4-8million euros for a two season contract AND undisputed number 1 status) and Fiat Yamaha would get Hayden in exchange. GPOne has reported that Valentino Rossi has already given Hayden the “blessing” should his former team mate wish to rejoin him!

But one must remember that just a few weeks ago, Livio Suppo was quoted as saying that the team were hoping to take up the option on Hayden’s two year contract, with the Kentuckian’s home Grand Prix at Indianapolis looking to be the fitting place to announce the deal.

Yamaha have also given Lorenzo an ultimatum; he must inform everyone of his intentions by next weekend, which means that the Indianapolis GP is going to be one heck of a media frenzy with so many decisions hoping to be finalised.

Nicky ended the post-Czech GP test in 8th place on a day cut short by, guess what, RAIN! Where would MotoGP be without rain?!?

Oh, and he crashed during the session but wasn’t hurt.

Pos Rider Team Fastest lap Prev. Gap Lead. Gap Laps
1 Jorge LORENZO Fiat Yamaha 1:56.171 – - 52
2 Valentino ROSSI Fiat Yamaha 1:56.622 +0.451 +0.451 38
3 Dani PEDROSA Repsol Honda 1:56.747 +0.125 +0.576 53
4 Loris CAPIROSSI Suzuki MotoGP 1:57.543 +0.796 +1.372 43
5 Andrea DOVIZIOSO Repsol Honda 1:57.764 +0.221 +1.593 53
6 Toni ELIAS San Carlo Honda Gresini 1:57.841 +0.077 +1.670 39
7 Chris VERMULEN Suzuki MotoGP 1:57.891 +0.050 +1.720 61
8 Nicky HAYDEN Ducati Marlboro Team 1:57.928 +0.037 +1.757 64
9 Marco MELANDRI Hayate Racing Team 1:58.045 +0.117 +1.874 56
10 Mika KALLIO Ducati Marlboro Team 1:58.051 +0.006 +1.880 65
11 Niccolo CANEPA Pramac Racing 1:58.120 +0.069 +1.949 69
12 Gabor TALMACSI Scott Racing Team 1:59.008 +0.888 +2.837 58
13 Mattia PASINI Pramac Racing 1:59.614 +0.606 +3.443 66
14 David DE GEA 2:05.907 +6.293 +9.736 49