Ducati Corse has announced that Nicky Hayden, fresh from his first podium for the Italian factory team at the Indianapolis Grand Prix last weekend (above), signed a one year extension to his current MotoGP agreement and will line up alongside Casey Stoner for the 2010 season.

Ducati Corse has announced that Nicky Hayden, fresh from his first podium for the Italian factory team, signed a one year extension to his current MotoGP agreement and will line up alongside Casey Stoner for the 2010 season.

It will mark Hayden's second year at Ducati having signed for the team at the end of last year, switching from Honda after six MotoGP seasons which produced three wins, five poles, six fastest laps and the World Championship title in 2006. The 28-year-old American rider, who is known by fans as the "Kentucky Kid", had a difficult start to the year as he struggled to get to grips with the Ducati Desmosedici GP9 and he failed to crack the top-ten in any of his first five races. However Hayden's form has improved in recent races and he has recorded six top-ten finishes from the last eight races and most memorably taking his first podium finish (third place) for the team at last weekend's Indianapolis Grand prix.

“The confirmation of Nicky is the right reward to a rider who has shown to perfectly embody the frame of mind that characterizes Ducati - Passion, Determination and Commitment.” said Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Motor Holding Manager. “We have always considered Nicky to be an important asset to the Ducati 2010 strategy and we are very happy that he will remain in the Ducati Marlboro Team. His progression through the season has been constant up to the podium in Indianapolis and we are certain that the experience he has gained will be decisive for a 2010 season full of success.”

“This has been a very good week and this news just adds to that,” commented Nicky Hayden. “After the good result in Indy, now to renew the deal with Ducati is exactly what I wanted. I’m very happy. I always had faith and believed that we could achieve good results. I’m excited for these last five races of the 09 season, and if you look at the progression we have made from the start of the season to the middle, hopefully we will continue this through to the end. I just wish to say a big thanks to all the guys who made this happen, especially everybody in Ducati as well as all our sponsors and I’m sure I’ll be able to do a good job next year and to continue to build with, and be part of, the Ducati family.”