Nicky Hayden testing Ducati World Superbike
Will the current Factory MotoGP rider make a straight swap for a WSBK?
CURRENT MotoGP Factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden is testing a World Superbike Panigale at Mugello today.
It was announced in July that the American could not be riding for the factory Ducati Team in MotoGP for 2014, however he was still wanted by Ducati who are rumoured to have offered him a ride in World Superbikes on the factory Ducati 1199R Panigale.
The option to test the Panigale could be a hint as to where we will be seeing the 2006 MotoGP World Champion next season.
The Ducati World Superbike offer is apparently not the only option Hayden has.
LCR Honda Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello confirmed at the Indianpolis Grand Prix that he was in talks with Hayden for a possible ride in 2014 on a ‘Honda production racer’ alongside Stefan Bradl.
NGM Forward Racing have also confirmed that they have reached an agreement with Yamaha to lease them one of their M1 packages. This is another option that has been spoken about with Hayden.
Hayden appears to have several offers to choose from, and he has form on a Superbike, having won the AMA title on a Honda in 2002. Testing the Panigale shows that a potential move into World Superbikes is a choice the Kentucky Kid is seriously considering.
