Rate it!

1 votes

Texan Nicky Hayden is relishing the prospect of celebrating the fourth of July weekend with a strong showing in the American MotoGP at Laguna Seca.

The Ducati Marlboro rider is struggling down at 15th in the standings, but hopes to repeat the victories he enjoyed in California in 2005 and 2006 - the second of which helped him achieve his dream of winning the world title.

"We still have a lot of work to do but it has been nice to see a little progress over the last few weeks and at Laguna I really need to take another big step," he said.

"All I know to do is keep trying and working at it and hope it will come.

"Laguna is a great track and very challenging. There are a few points that stick out but in general it is different to most tracks, which usually have a few different sections, whereas Laguna is basically just one section and you have to put it all together to make a good lap.

"This year we're racing in America on the fourth of July weekend and it's perfect - I can't think of a better way to celebrate the holiday than at the US Grand Prix!

"This will be the first time my American fans get to see me on a Ducati so that will be cool because there are a lot of strong Ducati fans in the States. No predictions or anything, but we'll go full gas and see what happens."

His team-mate Casey Stoner said the team have learnt not to underestimate problems with the bike ahead of this weekend's race.

The Australian lies third in the championship, only nine points behind leader Valentino Rossi and four in arrears of the Italian's team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Despite finishing third behind the Fiat Yamaha men last time out in Assen, 2007 world champion Stoner appeared off the pace.

"We have had some setbacks over the past couple of races that have prevented us from showing our full potential," he said.

"We've done a lot of work on the bike and found a great set-up for the race on both occasions but I have not been in good shape when it was the moment to take advantage of that work.

"We have come straight to America from Assen and there hasn't been much time to recover, although I do feel better already.

"What we learned from last weekend is not to underestimate the symptoms. I have always liked Laguna, with its natural elevation changes, I love racing in America and the Ducati has always gone well here.

"We have the potential to challenge for a good result again but we'll wait until we get out on track and see how things shape up."

MotoGP Laguna Seca: Race weekend LIVE from 10pm on Friday July 3rd on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport