NICKY HAYDEN'S next three races will be like an extended job interview for his seat on a factory Ducati in 2010.
Hayden has made it clear that he wants to stay with Ducati and his recent performances have hinted that he may have turned a corner with the fiery bike that, up to now, only Casey Stoner seems to be able to ride.
However, Hayden has serious competition in the form of impressive rookie Mika Kallio. Hayden has a best race finish of fifth and currently sits 13 points clear of Kallio. Kallio has two eighth places to his credit for the satellite Pramac squad but has been a top six contender at several rounds and missed Laguna Seca due to a finger injury.
Ducati has indicated that it wants to keep both Hayden and Kallio for 2010, but the young Finn will surely be out to prove that he deserves the factory seat, while Hayden will be aiming to justify his position by stepping into Stoner’s role as the leading Desmosedici rider.
Only Stoner has put the Ducati on the podium this season. Can Hayden or Kallio dig something out?
