New team structure and a box full of gizmos - can this be the answer to Nicky's woes?
STRUGGLING DUCATI MotoGP man NIcky Hayden, 27, has let slip that the Italian company is getting a batch of new electronics in time for this weekend's French round of the MotoGP championship at Le Mans.
Speaking in the run up to the round the former MotoGP World Champion was talking about his team's re-structure to try and help the American find the front-running pace he's been lacking throughout the season so far.
So, coming into the team as Crew Chief for Hayden will be Ducati boffin Juan Martinez while the current boss of that side of the garage, Cristhian Pupulin, will now try and sort out the digital problems that have plagued Hayden's pace. But Nicky went on to talk about the new electronic management system for the GP9 racebike saying: "for Le Mans, we have a bit of new electronic management and a new team structure that I think should help me and all the Ducati riders. I believe that with Cristhian more freed up from some of the normal work as crew chief he can use his expertise more and focus on really working on the issues I am having with the bike and help give us a better direction and give more info to the factory.”
If Hayden is happy with his bike then we've already seen that he can deliver race wins and world titles - the next round could be the most vital so far for the Kentucky Kid.
