Mugello MotoGP: Nicky Hayden hopes to impress Ducati fans

American Nicky Hayden is hoping thousands of Ducati fans will inspire him to a major breakthrough on the GP9 MotoGP machine in this weekend’s massive Mugello clash.

The Kentucky rider has had a torrid 2009 campaign so far and heading into Ducati’s home race, the former world champion has only managed to score a best finish of 12th.

The 2006 world champion has desperately tried to put a brave face on his current struggles heading to Italy where Ducati has yet to claim a MotoGP victory.

Hayden was boosted by the arrival of Juan Martinez as his crew chief for the French GP in Le Mans recently, and he admits that Ducati’s legions of fans deserve better than seeing him languishing at the wrong end of the premier class field.

Hayden said: “I hope with all my heart that I can be competitive because those fans don’t deserve to see a Ducati at the back. The track is awesome – there are maybe a few too many bumps but the layout is incredible and in general it is one of the best GPs of the whole championship.

“I’d really like to have some better results on the board and be going into the factory’s home race with some more experience under our belts but we are making progress and now I hope we can make a good step on Friday so that we can build on it over the rest of the weekend.”