Introduced to Ducati dealers this morning at their dealer show in Indianapolis, Nick Hayden's presence made the event seem like a rock concert. Ducati's US dealers went absolutely nuts when Hayden was introduced to them this morning. image by brian nelson

For Ducati fans and dealers in the US, Christmas came early with the appearance of Nicky Hayden at the Ducati North America Dealer Show in Indianapolis. Flanked by Ducati execs including Ducati US CEO Michael Lock, Ducati Motor CEO Gabriele Del Torchio and Ducati's MotoGP Team Manager Livio Suppo, a smiling Hayden waved to the screaming and applauding crowd of several hundred dealers after he was introduced.

Hayden told the crowd that while it was a new bike and a new team, this was actually familiar ground for him. "My family is a racing family and that's what Ducati is as well. I am really looking forward to this."

Hayden, the 2006 World Champion, is an immensely popular figure in the American motorcycling community and his signing gives Ducati North America a similarly huge boost. Ducati North America has experienced some solid hits in recent years with the success of the 1098 and other models but the addition of an American former World Champion to their bag of tricks should pay even more dividends.

Ducati North America CEO Michael Lock shakes Hayden's hand, with Ducati Motor CEO Gabriele Del Torchio looking on. image by brian nelson

For Hayden, it's a career rebirth after spending most of his time on the racing scene with Honda. The Ducati Desmosedici has a reputation as a fast, but difficult, Grand Prix bike and the jury is still out whether Hayden's preferred dirt track derived style will mesh with the Italian Stallion.

Hayden, 27, has raced in Grand Prix for the last five seasons. He's had some brilliant highs, such as winning the World Championship at Valencia or the Laguna Seca USGP wins. And while Hayden was clearly and deeply appreciated by those at American Honda throughout his tenure—going back to his days on a Honda support team—plenty of observers feel Hayden never truly found a home with HRC in his time in Grand Prix. Ducati promises to be a fresh start on all fronts. Judging by the reaction of the crowd and Ducati's execs today, they already love the guy.

"I'm excited about it. It's certainly a great opportunity for me, and a big change. Everyone knows I was with Honda a long time and the company was really good to me, especially on the U.S. side," said Hayden. "But it's time to make a change."

Soup met with Hayden in Indianapolis on Tuesday at the Scottish Rite Cathedral just before he was introduced to Ducati's dealer network to a standing ovation.

"I'm excited about it. It's certainly a great opportunity for me, and a big change. Everyone knows I was with Honda a long time and the company was really good to me, especially on the U.S. side," said Hayden. "But it's time to make a change."

Hayden made no illusions about what drew him to Ducati. "It's ... that bike," he said, talking about the reigning World Championship machine.

But for a racing history buff like Nicky, the allure of Ducati (and Marlboro) also is formed due to his own past. "I've always wondered what it would be like to ride a Ducati. When my brother turned sixteen and I went to the AMA races, Ferracci would roll them Ducs down with their single sided swingarms and the twins always sounded so different. I always wanted to ride one ... and the Marlboro colors, too. I remember as a kid, there was a picture of Kenny Roberts with John Kocinski and Wayne Rainey standing behind him and it said, "All the King's Men," or something like that. I always thought those colors looked good on the track.

Although he's been contracted to various motorcycle companies since he was sixteen, Hayden has ridden one of the Italian machines before. "When I was 14, I was in Michigan at Kevin Atherton's house and I rode his Ducati up and down the street a couple of times. But don't tell nobody!"

Nicky says he respects soon-to-be teammate Casey Stoner. "I always got on quite good with Casey. We come from a similar background in that we're from outside Europe. He's so honest and open and says exactly what he's thinking and I respect that. He's not here to be cool or whatever, he's here to do his job and I like that."

The all-important question: Will Hayden's riding style mesh with the Ducati Desmosedici? "I hope so. That's what I am banking on," he said with a laugh. "Sure, the riders who have went fast on it, certainly Casey, are very aggressive. It looks like the harder you ride the Ducati, the faster it goes; where the Honda you can over-ride it and go slower. It certainly looks that way and Casey and I have a similar background."

Is Nick having fun in Grand Prix? "I love it. Sure there are days where being in the paddock can beat you down when you are struggling. Sure, it's not easy because I expect a lot of myself and I take it personal when the results don't come. But I love GP, sure racing on this stage, at this level, and against these guys. When I wake up in the morning, I can't wait to get on the bike."