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Last year's MotoGP winner Nicky Hayden was back to something approaching his best with a top five finish during a recent preseason run-out in Spain.

The Honda rider has made something of a stuttering start since returning from shoulder surgery at the start of the year and having only managed to finish 14th in the preceding test in Qatar, he again struggled somewhat during the first two days of testing in Jerez.

Yet the third and final day brought something of a turnaround in fortune for the American as he hauled himself up to fourth in the final standings, although he was not entirely content to finish more than a second behind his great rival Valentino Rossi.

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Hayden commented afterwards: "The position is not too bad but my time is quite a long way from the front.

"I haven't spent much time on qualifying tyres at the winter tests so it was good to get that time here and put in a few quick laps. Some of the other riders really put in some hot laps today, so credit to them."

He added that, although he still needed to coax a little more speed out of his bike, he had nonetheless enjoyed the opportunity to pit himself against his competitors again and is now looking forward to the start of the new season in a fortnight's time.

This will take place on the Losail course in Qatar where, despite his relatively poor showing there in February, Hayden has an impressive record, making the podium in both 2005 and 2006.

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