Hayden's work ahead

Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden admitted Honda has plenty of work to do if he has any hope of retaining his world title.

The American came to this conclusion after a tough return to the track in Sepang for the three day test this week.

Hayden, sidelined by a shoulder operation in mid-November, finished down in seventh place on the final day of testing in the Far East.

The Repsol Honda rider said: “To be back in this position is not exactly a good welcome back but I feel like we made quite bit of progress and went a bit faster each day.

“It wasn’t like I really hit a lot of walls. We went back and forth on settings and we are still quite away off. 

“That’s a bit frustrating, especially when the first race is not that far away.  

“I’d have liked to have gone faster but I’m excited to be back and be back with my boys and riding the bike.

He added: “It was fun out there. There is still a long way to go and I don’t want to start jumping up and down now. 

“I know we got a lot of long, hard days ahead of us.”