Casey Stoner excited by Nicky Hayden’s Ducati deal

Reigning world champion Casey Stoner has told MCN he is looking forward to the prospect of partnering Nicky Hayden after the American’s much-anticipated move to Ducati was confirmed today.

Stoner and Hayden are long-time admirers of each other having won the last two MotoGP world titles against legendary Italian Valentino Rossi.

Hayden will replace Kawasaki-bound Marco Melandri and Aussie Stoner said the 2006 world champion’s arrival should boost Ducati’s hopes of successs next season.
Talking shortly before the deal was announced, the 22-year-old told MCN: “If Nicky were to join us, that would be fantastic.

“I’ve always got on with Nicky and I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I think he’ s had a lot of dirt over these years and people need to stop giving riders dirt and just give them respect for what they’re doing.

They’re trying hard, riding our best and yesterday Nicky went out and proved why he was world champion in 2006 and he rode bloody well.”