Hayden tests resurfaced Indianapolis circuit

Indianapolis Motor Speedway last week, evaluating the changes on a Ducati 1198 street bike ahead of the circuit's MotoGP event later this month. The 2006 Champion declared the changes as ‘pretty much perfect’, with troublesome bumps now eliminated.

"The new surface is just what I expected, it's pretty much perfect," Hayden explained. "There are a couple corners that the riders requested to be redone and IMS went above and beyond, and actually the whole infield from Turn 5 to the finish is repaved, so I'm looking forward to getting back here on the race bike and laying some rubber down.

"I think it's safer. There was a lot of crashing in the Turn 6 area over those bumps and I think it'll also make the racing better. It's going to open up a few areas where before it was one line because you had to miss the bumps, and now I think it'll make for better racing because there will be more places to pass.

"Just a more enjoyable, more fun track, so I know all the riders love Indy anyway and it's only going to make it better."

The Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix takes place between August 26-28, with American representatives Nicky Hayden, Ben Spies and Colin Edwards all in action.