Ducati Team rider Nicky Hayden to race aboard GP11.1 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway – MotoGP news
Ducati Team rider Nicky Hayden is now ready to debut aboard GP11.1 at his home event, the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix.
Meanwhile his teammate, Valentino Rossi has been riding the GP11.1 since the Dutch Grand Prix at Assen.
Previously in the 2011 season Hayden chose to race with GP11. Only after testing the GP11.1 during the practice sessions at Laguna Seca, he was able to trust the new bike. Coming to the Brno test, Hayden availed a whole day to test the GP11.1 and tuned its
setup according to his need.
Hayden said, “We're going to Indy, and we'll see what the new track surface does. I've ridden it, and the bumps are definitely gone, although I'd say it will take some time on Friday to clean it up and get some rubber down.”
The IMS was recently paved with a new asphalt. Before paving, the track was bumpy and filled with holes which disturbed the riders while racing.
The Kentucky Kid is anxiously waiting to race at his home ground and put a great run for his family. However, he is determined to concentrate on racing and achieving good results.
Indy GP being his home event, Hayden is looking forward for a good race weekend along a new better bike. He also added that the crew at the Ducati garage has worked hard to bring this opportunity to him, so he will try to score decent points for his team.
Ducati team manager Vittoriano Guareschi said, “Nicky [and Valentino] did a lot of laps [at the Brno test], finding good enough harmony with the GP11.1 that both riders will use it at Indy. This is an important decision that will accelerate our development
work.”
Guareschi added that it is Hayden’s home event which will be a motivational factor for him considering the fact Hayden collected his first podium for Ducati at the Indy GP during the 2009 season.
During the 2010 Indy event, the Kentucky Kid was strong. Unfortunately after losing a knee-pad his race was hampered as he dropped to sixth position in the race from third on the grid.
Let’s see how he fares at the IMS this weekend.
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