Former World Champion Nicky Hayden is the most popular American rider in MotoGP today. Indianapolis would probably never held a MotoGP race had it not been for Hayden. He is extremely popular in Hoosierland, which is quite an accomplishment for a Kentuckian, trust me. And now we learn today that Ducati is releasing him after this season.

Former World Champion Nicky Hayden is the most popular American rider in MotoGP today. If MotoGP is to be successful in this country they’d better hope Hayden stays in the series. (Larry Lawrence photo)

Shame on you Ducati. Whatever happened to loyalty? Hayden’s been a good faithful rider and on any given day he’ll be the top finishing Ducati rider.

This is Hayden’s fifth year with Ducati and while it’s true he hasn’t set the world on fire he has earned three podium finishes on the temperamental Desmosedici. More importantly he has been the good man in the storm, doing nothing but working hard to make the bike better and not being openly critical.

That’s more than can be said by many who have raced Ducati’s GP bike.

Hayden earned a top-five result this season at Le Mans, so he still has the skills to run strong when things are right.

The reality is Hayden shouldn’t be too sad. He’s being released from a team that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. It might be a good time to be on the market. While he may not get a top factory seat Hayden could land on a strong satellite team and probably score even better results than he’s been getting on the Ducati.

With Honda and Yamaha leasing motors to private teams next year, things could be getting more broadly competitive and Hayden would be a nice addition to any team.

One thing is certain, MotoGP organizer better pray he keeps a ride in MotoGP or you’ll watch attendance and general interest in the series among American fans plummet. Ben Spies looks like he’s struggling to regain fitness and let’s be honest, Colin Edwards is simply padding his retirement at this point. Right now Hayden is the only competitive American in MotoGP.

I know when friends of mine who are only mildly interested in motorcycle racing they always ask me how Hayden is doing. These are the people who buy tickets for the Red Bull Indianapolis GP.

I’m sure World Superbike would love to get their hands on Hayden. He would be a boon to that series so desperate for an American star.

I still believe Hayden has what it takes to win races. Put him on a good Honda or Yamaha and I bet he would again be a championship contender.

If MotoGP plans on keeping three events in America, or even two successful races, they’d better put in some serious OT keeping the man from the OWB. Cameron Beaubier, Jake Gagne and Joe Roberts are still two or three years away from being ready for the big show. Until then MotoGP needs Nicky Hayden.  – Larry Lawrence