Hayden´s U.S. Ducati welcome to help worthy cause

Nicky Hayden´s presence has been confirmed at a VIP Charity Event back home in America later this month, as part of a welcoming bash put on by Ducati North America.

The 2006 MotoGP World Champion –officially unveiled as a Ducati factory rider at this week´s ongoing Wrooom festival in Italy, is the team´s first ever American rider in the premier class. The Italian factory have a strong presence stateside, and will put on the presentation party at their Southern Californian dealership in Brea on January 23rd.

`We are thrilled to have an American rider on the Ducati Marlboro MotoGP Team and look forward to giving him a proper U.S. welcome to the Ducati family,´ says Michael Lock, CEO Ducati North America. `Nicky is a very talented World Champion and racing fans will look forward to cheering him on.´

As well as giving Ducati´s American workers and racing fans a chance to meet - and pose questions to - Hayden, the event also serves as a beneficial auction for a worthy cause. A silent auction for items including signed helmets and items donated by Ducati´s sponsors will be up for grabs, with proceeds going to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of which Hayden is a patron.

Doors open at the event open at 7.30pm local time.