The Repsol Honda Team resumes its World Championship campaign this weekend fully refreshed after the summer break and ready to tackle the iconic Brno circuit at the Grand Prix of the Czech Republic. Round 12 of the 2007 MotoGP season follows a four-week break since the U.S. Grand Prix during which time Nicky Hayden has taken the chance to recharge his battery after the very busy mid-season schedule.

Nicky Hayden arrives in the Czech Republic intent on carving out a strong result at a track he likes. The World Champion is looking to maintain the recent form that has seen him finish on the podium in two of the previous three races – in the Netherlands and Germany. Though a first lap incident put paid to his hopes at his home Grand Prix in July, the American – who celebrated his 26th birthday during the summer break – returns refreshed and fully motivated to attack the final seven races of the season.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of racing at the Brno circuit in its current form, though the first World Championship race, held on a longer road-based circuit, took place outside the attractive Czech city in 1965. The 5.403km (3.357-mile) Brno track is the second longest on the MotoGP calendar, with only the 5.548km (3.447-mile) Sepang circuit in Malaysia featuring a longer lap.

Due to the circuit’s fast technical nature and the venue’s place in the calendar at the end of the summer break, Brno is traditionally used by the MotoGP teams for testing following the Grand Prix. This year the Repsol Honda Team plans to remain in the Czech Republic to conduct two days of testing following Sunday’s 22-lap race, which begins at 14.00hrs local time.

Nicky Hayden – World Championship Position: 10th – 73 points

“Well it’s time to pack the bags back up and hit the road again which is good news for me. It’s been a nice few weeks off and maybe just what I needed, but the truth is I’m glad the holidays are over because I’m definitely ready to get back on the bike. I can’t really say I’ve been doing anything too exciting during the break – really just chilling out a bit and getting ready to make a start fresh and salvage what we can from the season.

I have spent some time down in Florida with my trainer Aldon Baker and his other riders Ricky Carmichael and Ben Townley doing some fitness work, but not much else too exciting to report.

Brno is track I quite like – I think most of the guys do because it’s pretty exciting with climbs and downhill sections, and even though the surface is getting pretty used it’s still got good grip. It’s also a track where horsepower is your friend with some big uphill sections and pretty long straights. So it will be exciting to see what HRC brings back to the party this weekend.”