Ducati duo excited about 1000cc MotoGP switch

Factory Ducati duo Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden have spoken of their excitement and anticipation ahead of MotoGP reverting back to a 1000cc capacity limit for 2012.

MotoGP bosses thrashed out an agreement before Christmas to abandon the current 800cc four-stroke class in favour of a 1000cc capacity rule to be implemented in 2012.

The move comes to slash the high cost to compete in MotoGP while also encouraging a larger field, with a 1000cc limit opening the door for the likes of BMW and Aprilia to enter the premier class.

Australian Stoner, speaking at Ducati’s 2010 team launch in Madonna di Campiglio, said: “Personally it will suit me a lot better. Each category I’ve stepped up I’ve found it a lot easier with more power to find traction.

“Everybody used to say I was the traction control king and now they are saying I use the least traction control out of anyone so I don’t see where everybody is getting their facts.

“I’m really looking forward to the new category. When the switch was made to 800s it was puzzling why they did it.

“There is no manufacturer that makes an 800cc bike, but at least now we’re going back to a neutral kind of capacity and hopefully get a bit more grunt out of them. Hopefully we can get a bit more fun out of them too.

“The racing in some ways was better with the 990s but I’ll tell you what last year there were a few pretty close races and a fair few close battles up front.

“I’d like to be in a few more of them in 2010 and 2011 and we’ll see what happens in 2012.”

Hayden is also a big fan of the decision to move back to the 1000cc format, with the American the last rider to win a world title when MotoGP ran 990cc four-strokes in 2006.

Hayden, who has struggled to replicate his form on the higher corner speed 800 machines said: “I think the new rule idea for me is awesome.

“The last time we were on 990’s I was the champion, so, for me it gives confidence, but that’s a long way away.

“That’s two years away. At the moment I’m focused on 2010 only and the rule package we have in place for then is where my plan is and I just got to make sure when those new bikes do come out that I’m in a position to try and be one on a factory bike.”