Honda president's visit fuels line-up talk

Fukui does not attend many races and his presence at Assen, just one day before his scheduled visit to the French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours, has been viewed by some as significant.

The last time Fukui was present at a MotoGP event was at Motegi last year, when then protracted negotiations with Nick Hayden were resolved within 24 hours of his arrival and a new two-year deal agreed.

Fukui's decision to attend Assen comes amid suggestions that both Dani Pedrosa and Hayden's future with Repsol Honda are in doubt on the back of a disappointing start to the campaign.

Honda's new 800cc bike has not yet won a race, while ex-Honda rider Casey Stoner has won five of the eight events so far on a Ducati. The last works Repsol Honda victory was 14 races ago at Laguna Seca last July, when Hayden was victorious.

Sources have suggested that both riders are unimpressed by the fortunes of Honda and their unease has increased with the news that the next major updates on their bike are not scheduled until the Czech Grand Prix in late August.

Pedrosa has stalled on signing a new contract with the team, and openly told the Spanish press earlier this week that it would be foolish to ignore other chances in the pitlane.

"You can't shut your eyes and think that there's only one option available," he said.

And although Hayden has another year to run on his contract, there has been some speculation that he is courting Ducati about making a switch to the Italian manufacturer next year. He was offered a deal by them last season before re-signing with his current team.