Source: Supplied.

American Nicky Hayden will sit out this week’s two-day winter test at the Jerez circuit in Spain after a knee injury forced him to return to the USA.

The 35-year-old twisted his knee while taking part in flat-track training near Barcelona last Friday following the first winter test of the season at MotorLand Aragon.

Hayden will undergo further medical evaluations in the coming days to determine the extent of his injury, and a decision will be made if any procedure is required to assist in a swift recovery.

Newly-appointed teammate Stefan Bradl, who made an impressive debut on the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP at last week’s test, will take on sole testing duties with the Honda WorldSBK Team in Jerez.