Hayden backs MotoGP's Claiming Rule Teams concept

Nine of the 21 bikes in the 2012 MotoGP field will be entered under the CRT system, which features elements of production-based technology. MotoGP chief Carmelo Ezpeleta has admitted that he sees CRT as a potential basis for a lower-cost future for the series.

Hayden agreed that CRT could ultimately be good for MotoGP - even if he preferred to watch its development from the front of the field for now.

"I'm glad I'm not on one, but I think it's a rule that could be good for the future," said the Ducati rider. "Obviously we need to put on a good show for the fans and we need more bikes on the grid without spending so much money.

"I think it will be interesting and a storyline, and I hope the gap from those guys to the front is not too much. I'm going to be interested to see how they go, and I hope that it's something that down the road will make better racing for the fans."

Leading CRT entries include long-time Yamaha MotoGP rider Colin Edwards on a Suter-BMW entered by Moto2 graduate team Forward Racing, Aspar-run Asprilias for Randy de Puniet and Aleix Espargaro, an FTR-Honda for Gresini's second rider Michele Pirro, and MotoGP returnee James Ellison on an Aprilia fielded by former Kawasaki World Superbike team Paul Bird Motorsports.