MotoGP Indy - Hayden '50/50' on Superbike switch

Former MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden is remaining cagey on his 2014 plans but said it is 50/50 whether he will make a switch to World Superbike or remain in MotoGP, probably on a Honda production bike.

The factory Ducati man has been in talks with teams in both paddocks but says he has had no firm offers put in front of him - but he expects that to change within the next month. He is rumoured to be in advanced talks with Pata Honda and Kawasaki, as well as with Ducati's WSBK operation, run by Alstare.

"A lot of the Europeans have been on holiday but in the next three weeks I would expect to lock something down. I'm still working out details with teams, budgets, rules, understanding other stuff but we're getting closer," said Hayden, speaking at Indianapolis.

"Being truthful, it's maybe 50/50. There are some options here, some in Superbike. I've had contact with quite a few teams there but no formal offers just yet."

If Hayden was to stay in the premier class, he says he has discussed the possibility of a production Honda and the new leased Yamaha package going to Forward Racing - but dismissed speculation about a Pramac satellite prototype.

"The Honda production bike is something I have been discussing but a Pramac bike has not been talked about. We don't know yet how competitive the production bikes are going to be. Four extra litres of fuel, some motors that might make a difference, soft tyres with more engines. But you also gotta use a different ECU, there's a lot of variables. I just want to get on the best possible package.

"In Superbike, rules are changing there too so at this point I don't want to go making a three-year plan, start developing a bike. I would like to start round one on the best possible package."

By David Miller

Image by Bonnie Lane