Nicky Hayden positive after GP12 test

American Nicky Hayden was back on Ducati’s prototype GP12 in Mugello yesterday (Tuesday), the 2006 world champion positive with progress made on the new 1000cc bike.

Hayden, who finished fourth in last weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone, completed 83-laps, the test also giving him chance to assess the re-surfaced Mugello track Hayden said: “It was a positive day, even if the track conditions this morning weren’t great because of the rain last night. That caused us to get started a bit late, but we worked on the setup and some new changes that have been made to the GP12.

“I only started having better feeling after the lunch break, when the sun made the track conditions better. The new asphalt is definitely a big improvement, especially in some spots, like the two Arrabbiate corners, which are really fun now. I’m satisfied with the steps forward that have been made with the bike since the first time I tried it, at Jerez.”

Nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi was due back on the GP12 again today for his third appearance on next year’s bike.