Nicky Hayden – (Ducati MotoGp Team) (15th)

“I got probably the best start I have had all season but unfortunately it proved to be my downfall! I’m not sure what happened to Jorge – I saw he got a bad start as I passed him, then the next thing I know I felt a really hard impact. It was so hard it tore both our bikes up and obviously he couldn’t keep his upright. Thankfully I did and I got back on track but the thing was so damaged I was just riding around. I considered coming in to conserve the engine but there was always the chance it might rain and give us the opportunity to swap bikes so we stayed out there and tried to stay out of harm’s way.

I’m disappointed because I felt we had a chance to do something here and apart from anything I was excited to race here because it’s always so much fun. Anyway, I can’t blame Jorge because he is fighting for the championship, he obviously didn’t mean it and I know it is not his style.

The good thing is that I didn’t get hurt, which could have easily happened in that corner, and now we go to Malaysia and try to get back in the thick end of the points.”

He ended up coasting his bike home to take 15th position, and one point, to hold on to 14th in the championship. Hayden has been taken out in the first corner too many times this year, and we’re hoping he has relatively easy starts for the next two grands prix!

Ducati Marlboro rider Nicky Hayden is brimming with enthusiasm ahead of this weekend’s Iveco Australian Grand Prix, having enjoyed three podium finishes ‘Down Under’ to date.

Hayden has a top-ten finish for the 2009 MotoGP season well within his sights, having steadily improved his form throughout the campaign after a tough start.

The Kentucky Kid is targeting another strong finish at Phillip Island after coming in third last year at the circuit, and with the track record to his name it is a venue which inspires the 2006 World Champion.

“Phillip Island is a track and place I really like. The track is great – it’s fast, flowing and a lot of fun,” said Hayden, who has twice qualified on pole position there. “I hope we can get some decent weather because the place can be really challenging when it’s cold – there are not so many right-hand corners so it can take a few laps to heat and scuff the right side of the tyre. I also enjoy the flyaways at the end of the year because it’s a little different in terms of atmosphere with all the teams traveling together and staying in the same hotels – you see a different side of people.”

“So we’ve got three more races left before the end of the season and I really hope and need to make another step up toward the front. I really need to dig deep and try to make it happen.”

Livio Suppo, the MotoGP Project Director at Ducati Marlboro, is hoping Hayden and his team-mate Casey Stoner – who has won at Phillip Island for the last two years – repeat their past glories. The pair enjoyed an entertaining battle last year when Hayden was still riding a Honda.

“It is always nice to go to Philip Island. It is a magical track and it is full of fantastic memories for our team. Last year Casey and Nicky had a great battle for the lead over several laps and it would be a dream come true to see them recreate that on their Ducatis,” said Suppo.