Nicky Hayden will start his 200th MotoGP as the only American rider on the grid at this weekend's event in Austin, Texas. Hayden, 33, made his MotoGP debut with Repsol Honda in 2003, won his first race in 2005 and went on to beat Valentino Rossi to the title in 2006. The switch to smaller 800cc engines hurt Hayden's form and he moved to Ducati to start a five-year association in 2009. Hayden claimed just three podiums on the troublesome Desmosedici, but performed credibly against strong team-mates Casey Stoner, Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso. The Kentuckian returned to Honda by signing for the Aspar team in the new Open class last season. Held back by both the uncompetitive RCV1000R and a...
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