Nicky Hayden Needs Shoulder Surgery

Nicky Hayden will undergo surgery on Tuesday to speed up the recovery of his left shoulder after weakness at the Test in Sepang made riding difficult.

Following the first winter test at Sepang, where his participation was limited due to his left shoulder lacking the strength to ride well, Nicky Hayden traveled directly to Fremont, California, for a thorough examination at Doctor Arthur Ting’s clinic.

Tests at the clinic revealed damage to cartilage in the American’s shoulder, as well as to muscles in his back. Tomorrow the Ducati Team rider will undergo an operation to evaluate his condition more closely and to treat the injury.

"Of course another operation before the season is never a good thing", reported Hayden. "But I’m actually happy that I tried to ride at Malaysia, because it helped me discover that the problem with the shoulder was bigger than we thought. After seeing the scans, it was clear why I couldn’t ride well."

"Setbacks are a part of life and a part of MotoGP, so we’ll deal with it and do everything possible to get back on the bike in good condition as soon as possible. Ducati and the team are putting maximum effort into this championship, and that helps me to keep my spirits high and to be confident heading into the season."