This weekend’s Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix is one that the Ducati squad are excited about. For Nicky Hayden it is his home event and the scene of his first ever MotoGP victory in 2005.

“I can't wait to get to Laguna, a circuit that is extremely special to me,” states the American. “It is tough but really nice and it is where I won my first GP. I'm not just saying it because I'm American but it really is a unique place. There isn't really a straight – all the corners run into each other and they are a mixture of fast and slow bends. The Corkscrew is unique, a three-storey drop with a blind entry – you feel like you're taking off into space!”

“Another thing about Laguna is that you can't afford to run off line at any point because the exit to one corner is the entry to the next and you have to get your line right. At Sachsenring we had a tough weekend but recovered in the race and found a good feeling for the bike. That makes me confident for this weekend.”

Also anxious for the ninth round at Laguna is colleague Casey Stoner, who was victorious at the circuit in his own title winning year of 2007. The Aussie is enjoying a run of three consecutive stage appearances and is getting close to finding his known form.

“Laguna is a circuit I have always liked because it's tough but great fun and it follows the natural undulations and direction changes of the land. I also enjoy the raucous but respectful atmosphere that the American fans provide,” says the 24 year old.

“Naturally I am looking for a good result but I don't want to make any predictions because recently we have been close to the front without managing to finish with the result we want. We're not far off - we just need a little more grip, stability under braking and handling, which would give us the extra tenth or two we're missing. It is not much but at the level we're at it will be noticeable. We'll see what happens but the objective is to improve on what we have done so far," he ends.