Czech GP: Ducati pre-race notes

WIEN WELCOME HAYDEN AND THE DESMOSEDICI GP9

As part of the build-up to the Czech Republic Grand Prix a number of World Championship riders called into neighbouring Austria's capital city of Vienna on Wednesday, for a special event organised by Austrian national broadcasters ATV.

An exciting gathering witnessed by thousands of local fans saw a demonstration ride through the heart of the city with Jorge Lorenzo (Fiat Yamaha), Nicky Hayden (Ducati Marlboro Team), James Toseland (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Gabor Talmacsi (Scot Racing) all taking part.

Although MotoGP has visited Vienna before this was the first time in history that the riders were allowed to take their prototype machines along the famous Ringstreet, the main boulevard in the city.

Local government welcomingly treated the event like a state visit, with the Austrian police riding ahead of the World Championship stars on a 5.2km loop through the city centre. The route commenced at the Burgtheater on Josef-Meinrad-Place, along Ringstreet, past several important buildings such as the State Opera House, the most famous historical museums and the Austrian Parliament and eventually returning to the Burgtheater.

2006 MotoGP World Champion Nicky Hayden, who is popular with the public wherever he goes, said, "It was a great opportunity for the fans to get close to the bikes and to the riders, and hopefully for us to show them a bit of our sport. Perhaps we can get a new audience that have not seen our bikes before and I think it's a good build up for the weekend. Last year I missed the race but Brno is a great track, fast, flowing and a lot of long straight aways so I am looking forward to the weekend now."

-credit: ducati