Roger Hayden Signs With WSBK Team

A long-time Kawasaki rider, Hayden will ride the ZX-10R for the satellite Pedercini squad.

I am really happy to be participating in the World Superbike Championship next year with the Pedercini Team, says Hayden. It has always been my goal to race in a World Championship Series, and now I have the opportunity.

In 2009, Hayden raced in the AMA Daytona Sportbike class for the factory Monster Energy Attack Kawasaki team on the ZX-6R, finishing 12th in the season standings with a pair of second-place finishes.

Its a big difference from what I did last year, but Im ready and looking forward to taking that next step, says Hayden. I have experience on the Kawasaki Superbike, so that does not make everything completely new. It should be fun learning and racing at the new circuits and of course we have a home round in Salt Lake at Miller Motorsports Park. My first test will be at Portimao towards the end of January and I cant wait to get back on a bike again!"

Hayden made his AMA Pro Racing debut in 2004, finishing second for Kawasaki behind his brother Tommy. Roger Lee Hayden competed against his other brother, former MotoGP Champion Nicky at the 2007 U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, placing tenth as a wildcard rider for the Kawasaki MotoGP team.

Were very happy with our signing of Roger. He is a young rider and we hope to realize his full potential and guide him through his debut as we strongly believe that Hayden will put us in a good position to compete in the next Superbike World Championship, says Team Manager Lucio Pedercini. He has been competitive on Kawasaki machinery in the U.S.A., he knows the Kawasaki ZX-10R and we want to continue developing his career within Kawasaki. We understand that Roger may need some time to adapt himself to our team, the new circuits and to such a difficult and competitive championship as World Superbike, but we are sure about his talent, motivation and determination.

Pedercini Kawasaki competed in 2009 with racers Luca Scassa and David Salom.