Hayden: it could have been a podium

The American started the last lap in sixth place and was in the group led by the Ducati of Loris Capirossi in third place, but ultimately finished the race in seventh after losing a position to Suzuki's John Hopkins.

"At the end of the race, with four or five laps to go I was thinking 'you know what, I'm going to be able to steal a podium here'," said the Repsol Honda rider.

"Except that after about half race distance I was having real trouble getting through the fast right hander at turn 14. Early in the race it was my best corner, but at other parts of the track I was braking so deep to make up time that I used up the front tyre a little bit.

"At the end, and I know it's a pretty weak excuse, but I just couldn't get through that right hander. That affected my acceleration up that hill and I started losing positions.

"On the last lap I gave it one last go through there to try to be close on the brakes to let me try to do something down at the hairpin, but when I got in there I just pushed the front to the edge of the track and had a big moment - I barely stayed on."

Hayden has had a nightmare start to his title-defending season, collecting only an eighth and another seventh place in the first two races of the year.

"It's another seventh place and I know people will still be on my case about it, but the truth is the team worked really hard this weekend and I rode as hard as I could for 22 laps," he said.

Hayden brushed off the fact that the race was dominated by Bridgestone, with seven riders out of the top eight riding on Japanese rubber.

"I don't want to play the 'first Michelin rider' card because my tyres were pretty good. The rear was really consistent, though I had some issues with the front.

"I really would have loved to give the team a better result this weekend but we've got a test here tomorrow and we'll look to get a few things straightened out."