Hayden's brother to ride a Kawasaki in USA

Kawasaki had been awaiting final confirmation from the American about whether he would accept the offer, but that has now happened.

Ian Wheeler, Communication Manager of Kawasaki Racing Team, said: "We have now confirmed Roger Lee on a third bike at Laguna Seca.

"It's a further opportunity for him to show his potential after riding for the AMA team, and after he rode the MotoGP bike for 10 laps at Valencia last November during the journalist test.

"He knows the track at Laguna, something that his brother has shown is key."

Wheeler said that Kawasaki had changed their stance to wildcard entries following the rider changes caused by Olivier Jacques' decision to retire.

"We said at the top of the year that we wouldn't be doing any wildcard rides this year, but things changed after Olivier injured himself and returned to being a test rider.

"During those discussions after Catalunya, in which we eventually got Anthony West on the bike, Roger's name came up. Kawasaki USA were very keen for it to happen too."

Hayden, a regular AMA Superbike rider, rides for Kawasaki in that category and is currently 10th in the standings. He will also ride a Supersport 600 bike over the Laguna Seca weekend, as it is a support race to MotoGP.