Source: MotoGP.

DRIVE M7 Aspar rider Nicky Hayden is set to return to competition this weekend at Aragon after a four race absence.

The American underwent surgery on his right wrist in July but he has undergone an intense recovery program and after riding some dirt track in recent weeks he feels ready to test himself on his MotoGP™ bike again – at a circuit where he stood on the podium in 2010.

“I am really happy to finally return to action this weekend,” Hayden explained. “Racing motorcycles is not only my job but my passion and it hasn’t been easy for me to miss so many races. I just focused on getting back as quickly as possible but riding a MotoGP machine is not something you can test your fitness for until you try it.

“I have been riding quite a bit of dirt track lately but I can’t say for sure how strong I am so I am looking forward to getting on the bike and seeing the results of the operation.

“At the moment I don’t want to set any objectives other than to get back out there and see how I feel. I am looking forward to seeing the team again and I can’t wait to get back to the serious work on Friday. My arm and wrist feel quite strong and the movement has improved.

“I didn’t want to come back until I knew I had done everything I could to recover and I am happy with the result. I managed to get on the podium the first year we raced at Motorland, I quite like the circuit and it has some fun corners.”

Hayden’s return marks the end of Briton Leon Camier’s replacement role on the production-spec RCV1000R.