March 27 - Nicky at the pumps

STONER AND HAYDEN MAKE A PIT-STOP IN MADRID EN ROUTE TO JEREZ

As the new MotoGP season approaches, the final countdown is well underway with the bikes taking to the track in Jerez this weekend for the traditional pre-season test.

Every team has gathered at the Andalucian circuit but the Stoner and Hayden stopped off in Madrid for a special pit stop at Shell service station in the Spanish capital.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Shell and Ducati´s successful technical partnership and the Ducati riders were in Madrid for a photocall. It was made all the more special for two local Ducatisti who were surprised to be welcomed by the 2006 and 2007 MotoGP World Champions. The highlight was when Nicky Hayden actually filled up the bike of one of the riders with Shell V-Power fuel.

“I don´t know whether to pay or die (of shock!) – I should be pumping fuel for them!” commented Francisco Lopez, one of the local riders. This was only shortly after Jose Antonio Perez, another surprised customer had been completely astonished by Nicky filling up his bike as well.

Nicky

Hayden joked: “It´s part of my new contract… I have to work 20 days for Shell and this is my first day!” before saying, “seriously, it´s great to meet fans on a day like this. I hope everything goes well in Jerez as I feel good at Ducati and the GP9 feels better every time I ride it.”

The Championship begins on April 12 in Qatar and the riders will come back to Jerez for the third round of the Championship in early May. For that reason, this test is especially important but this ´pit stop´ was an enjoyable break from the usual build-up.

Casey

Casey Stoner who enjoyed the event alongside his team mate will ride with the #27 this year, the same number with which he won the riders´ title two years ago. He was very optimistic ahead of the forthcoming test and said: “The GP9 has been going well and my hand is much better as I you could see in the last test. I hope it is as sunny in Jerez as it is in Madrid today because I am keen for the Championship to get underway.”