Hayden "couldn’t say no" to Repsol Honda return chance

The American, a regular fixture in Honda’s World Superbike team since retiring from grand prix racing at the end of last year, was confirmed on Tuesday as a stand-in for Pedrosa, who broke his collarbone in a practice crash last weekend at Motegi.

It marks Hayden’s second start of the year after he replaced an injured Jack Miller in Aragon aboard the satellite Marc VDS Honda. He finished 15th after qualifying 19th, scoring a single point.

Explaining the call-up in the pre-event press conference, Hayden said: “What can I say? I like racing motorcycles, so when I got the call I thought immediately it would be a great opportunity to come back after 10 years to Repsol, on the bike I won the championship.

“I told my crew chief [in World Superbikes] at Magny-Cours just after coming back from Aragon I didn’t really have a good Friday, and he was like ‘no more GPs!’, and I was like ‘yeah, of course not!’ 

“But when I got the call, I said ‘next year, no more GPs!’ I’m a softie and I can’t say no.”

Hayden also admitted it was an “emotional” experience being re-united with the team with which he won the championship in 2006, but highlighted the importance of getting a strong result after Hiroshi Aoyama – who replaced Pedrosa in Japan – qualified last and finished only 15th.

“Seeing my number on the bike was almost emotional for me, because I have a good history with the team,” said Hayden. “Honda has been so loyal to me.

“I want to thank my World Superbike team and sponsors, there are a lot of conflicting sponsors and contracts that have to be worked out and thankfully no-one stood in my way. 

“More importantly I need to do a good job. It’s one thing to sit on the bike and take pictures but tomorrow I need to get my head down and open the throttle.”