Coming to the end of his contract with the Ducati factory MotoGP team leaved Nicky Hayden a free rider for 2014. Loved on both shores of the Atlantic and a huge image capital for Ducati, Hayden was offered a World Superbike ride for 2014, but he has not made up his mind yet.
In fact Hayden made it rather clear that he's looking forward to stay in MotoGP. Currently 9th in the world standings, it looks like the Kentucky Kid still has what it takes to make serious claims for top placements... but not aboard a Ducati.
Last week Hayden was in Italy at Mugello, and put in some 30 laps aboard the WSBK-spec 1199 Panigale R. No figures on lap times and no photos were released by Ducati, with "interesting" being one of the very few words the Borgo Panigale crew used.
Ducati is not faring exactly great in th World Superbike series, either, with Badovini and Checa in the 12th and 14th positions, respectively, worse than their MotoGP riders are, with Dovizioso one position ahead of Hayden.
There still are moves to be made in MotoGP and with the new production racers from Honda and Yamaha's M1 engines leased, we might have Hayden around for the next season.
Last week Hayden was in Italy at Mugello, and put in some 30 laps aboard the WSBK-spec 1199 Panigale R. No figures on lap times and no photos were released by Ducati, with "interesting" being one of the very few words the Borgo Panigale crew used.
Ducati is not faring exactly great in th World Superbike series, either, with Badovini and Checa in the 12th and 14th positions, respectively, worse than their MotoGP riders are, with Dovizioso one position ahead of Hayden.
There still are moves to be made in MotoGP and with the new production racers from Honda and Yamaha's M1 engines leased, we might have Hayden around for the next season.