Mugello MotoGP: Nicky Hayden sticking to 2010 forks

Nicky Hayden is not going to follow team-mate Casey Stoner’s lead and test last year’s Ohlins front forks in Mugello this weekend.

The Australian will fit a set of 2009 forks to his factory GP10 machine in a bid to iron out a mystery front-end issue. 

Stoner has crashed in Qatar and Le Mans and also suffered issues with the front-end of his GP10 in Jerez, but Hayden will continue to use the latest spec Ohlins front suspension.   

Hayden told MCN: “I’m pretty happy with what I’ve got. Hopefully he (Casey) finds out that it’s not the answer because that could make things more confusing for us. When I tried those forks we tried them with the complete new bike.

“He’s going to go back and have a look because it wasn’t something we tested back-to-back when we brought out the 2010 bike. The bike came complete with the new forks but I like them and I felt they were better in some places.

“I prefer them on the bottom. I have more contact feel and I liked them quite a lot more.”

Hayden’s fortunes have enjoyed a dramatic turnaround in 2010 with the American claiming three top four finishes.

The 2006 world champion has twice been narrowly defeated to the podium by Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso in Qatar and Le Mans and he said: “We’ve certainly started the season off good and I’m on target. But definitely our goals are a lot more than fourth.

“We have to take that next step and while that podium is not far away, getting with those front guys, that step is the hardest. We’ve got a lot of work to do because as you get closer the tenths get harder to find.

“Those guys aren’t just sitting around waiting and they are pushing too. Everybody at Ducati is so much behind me and it is amazing to have so much support. Now it’s up to me turn in some good results.”