Ducati home success the aim for Stoner and Hayden

The Ducati Team riders are eager to score results that would mark the factory’s home race as a real triumph.

Ducati are aiming for a home result to celebrate this weekend at the Gran Premio Aperol di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini as Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden prepare for Round 12 of the 2010 season.

Following the disappointment of a DNF at Indianapolis Stoner is more than ready to get back on track at a circuit he did not race on last season due to illness. The Australian’s record at Misano in his two visits there have seen him set the pace – in 2007 he won from pole whilst in 2008 he again started from prime spot on the grid but crashed while leading the race.

Stoner is now steeled to bounce back from his Indy mishap and is in a positive frame of mind about the coming weekend. “Indy was obviously a big disappointment for us but we're looking ahead,” said the 24 year-old.

“I am happy to be going to one of Ducati's home circuits and a place where we have gone fast in the past. It is the third of the races I missed in 2009 so we'll see what we can do this weekend. We'll have to work hard on the front again because we don't want to take a backward step on the progress we've made recently. The whole team is working really hard, the guys are giving everything like always so hopefully we can have a good result to celebrate on Sunday."

Hayden was on the pace on his Desmosedici last year but suffered the frustration of having his race ended early. However, his rhythm from that visit has the American in confident mood and he is looking to impress in front of the Ducati fans.

“We had a really good pace in race trim during practice and warm-up at Misano last year but I got hit from behind in the race on the Sunday,” said Hayden. “In 2008 I didn't race because of a foot injury so we'll try to make up for it on Sunday, when I'm sure we'll have the support of a lot of fans and a lot of people from Ducati. It is always special to race a Ducati in Italy and I can't wait for it.”

Source: http://www.motogp.com/en/news/