Hayden confident of stronger race

The former champion described his qualifying test at the track in March as "a disaster", but thinks he has become more comfortable in the team since then and will therefore be in much better shape for the race.

Hayden has only scored four points so far this year having had a massive qualifying crash at Losail and then been taken out by Yuki Takahashi on lap one in Japan last weekend.

"I can't deny that it's been a tough start to the season, especially in Japan, but we have to move on and look ahead," he said.

"Now we go to Jerez and even though we didn't have a great test there in March, things are different now.

"At Motegi I felt as though the communication within the team had improved, the work we're doing together as a group is becoming more smooth, so I'm looking forward to starting again at Jerez with a clear and positive mind."

He hopes that he can get maximum dry track mileage during the race build-up this time after the abundance of rain in the opening rounds.

"I don't even want to think about the possibility of it raining again there," Hayden said. "At the moment it looks like the forecast is good but it seems as though somebody upstairs likes seeing MotoGP riders in the wet.

"Joking aside, it would be nice to have a 'normal' weekend so that we can work properly on the bike. I want my season to finally get going."