Knowledgeable sources say that Reigning AMA Superbike champion Nick Hayden has signed a contract with Honda to race Grand Prix in 2003 as part of the factory Honda squad.

Hayden was known to have been very close to signing a contract to replace Max Biaggi at Yamaha's factory GP team, but at the last moment, he signed with Honda.

Hayden is at the Honda dealer show in Chicago today, and it is presumed that a formal announcement will be made this evening to Honda's dealers.

Current rumor has Hayden joining Val Rossi on the factory Repsol Honda team.

Confirmed: Honda announced at the dealer show this evening that Hayden will go Moto GP in 2003.