Hayden feeling happier with new bike

The reigning world champion has expressed his discomfort with the new machine in recent weeks, but he now feels much happier on the bike.

Hayden has also been recovering from shoulder surgery over the winter, but he is now is high spirits ahead of the new season which kicks off on March 10.

"The bike has evolved a lot although there hasn't actually been any radical change," said the American. "Now we're just riding a little different, and now we know much better how to ride it."

Hayden admitted that he felt much happier with the bike towards the end of last weekend's test in Jerez, after he struggled at the previous test in Qatar.

"It's been a very difficult pre-season," he said. "First recovering from my surgery and then with the extra aspect of working with a completely new bike.

"I feel much better than I did in Qatar. It was quite difficult, but I've enjoyed riding the new bike more and more."