Hayden: Engine still key

Nicky Hayden believes Honda’s new RC212V 800cc motor can improve despite the V4 appearing close to its rivals in testing in Qatar last week.

Hayden has been a vocal critic at the lack of performance from Honda’s new 800cc contender, with factory team-mate Dani Pedrosa, Marco Melandri and Carlos Checa all backing his pleas for more horsepower and acceleration.

After a disastrous test in Doha last week when he crashed twice on one day and finished way off the pace, Hayden said: “We still need engine performance but on the 800 at Qatar I thought the straight would seem a lot longer and a lot slower but I guess my body is starting to adjust to the 800 now because I’m starting to feel normal on the straight.”