Hayden still positive despite crash

The Repsol Honda rider has struggled to acclimatise to the new 800cc bikes and has yet to finish in the top six this season.

But he made a breakthrough in the post-race test at Catalunya, and carried that form through to Donington Park - topping final practice and qualifying fourth.

Hayden was racing in the top five when he fell early in the race, before rejoining four laps down and finishing 17th.

"It felt really good early, and the bike was actually working really good," he told the BBC.

"I was trying to be a little bit patient, but a few guys came past and I was kind of going back and forth. It felt good, and I felt I could go quicker.

"When (Casey) Stoner came through, I was having a little bit of a hard time staying with him because of the spray, but I wanted to latch on to the guy and I felt like I could go towards the front.

"I felt really comfortable and was enjoying it. But then obviously I got in a little bit hot at the top of the hill and just pushed the front. I'd got passed there once or twice earlier and just didn't want to go back any further."

But he remained positive despite the error.

"It sucks to crash out of the race, but the truth is it wasn't like I crashed out while going backwards and struggling," Hayden said.

"At least I was up front. I'm definitely going to take the positives from this weekend. Being fastest on Saturday morning in the dry was a big boost for me, and I definitely felt like speed-wise I was the fastest I've been all year.

"Yeah, I hate the result, but it felt good to be back up front and hopefully we'll just pick right up where we left off before the crash at Assen."