Ducati on Tuesday officially presented its new rider for the 2009 MotoGP season, 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden, who joins 2007 champion Casey Stoner in the team's lineup.
''I feel very proud to wear the Ducati colors. This is something new for me and I'm grateful for the confidence they have shown in me,'' the 27-year-old Kentuckian said at the presentation ceremony.
He added that he was very enthusiastic about his new bike and had already established a positive, working relationship with Stoner.
''We've always gotten along and Casey has welcomed me to the team,'' Hayden added.
''I have great expectations and I know what I'm capable of. I want to return to my competitive levels of 2006 and reach the podium in every race,'' Hayden told the press.
Asked about his chances of winning the 2009 title, the new Ducati rider replied:''First of all I have to start winning some races''.
After clinching the 2006 title with Honda, and breaking the five-year winning streak of Italian Valentino Rossi, Hayden has not won a race and collected only three third place finishes in 2007 and a second and third place in 2008.
After losing the championship in 2006 to Hayden and in 2007 to Stoner, Rossi regained his crown in 2008 and collected his sixth title in motorcycling premier class.
''It's still far too early to make any predictions for 2009. The riders are the same as last year and so the competition will be tough. With Rossi and Stoner around everyone has to be at their best,'' Hayden observed.
The American rider replaces Italy's Marco Melandri who left after just one, disappointing year at Ducati to join Kawasaki.
Unfortunately, Melandri will be without a ride this season after the Japanese team's recent decision to drop out of competitive race for financial reasons.
When Ducati announced at the end of last season that it would hire Hayden, Ducati Racing CEO Claudio Domenicali said: ''We are very glad to have Nicky with us. We are confident that his 'never give up' attitude, his riding style and personality will be an added asset to the team in 2009''.
The 2009 MotoGP season starts April 12 with the Grand Prix of Qatar.
