Hayden to replace Pedrosa at Phillip Island

Nicky Hayden will deputise for injured Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa at this weekend's Michelin Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

Despite some calls for recently crowned Australian superbike champion Troy Herfoss to fill the position – in a similar vein to how compatriot Mike Jones was parachuted into the second Avintia Ducati seat at Motegi last weekend – Repsol Honda has instead turned to the popular American, who won the 2006 MotoGP title for them and is now a world superbike rider for the Japanese brand.

During his six years with Repsol Honda in the nougties, Hayden finished on the Phillip Island podium three times, with a best finish of second place in 2005.

This will be Hayden's second MotoGP start in 2016 after filling in for injured Aussie Jack Miller at Aragon, where he finished in 15th position.

“First of all my best wishes to Dani, I’m sure he will come back stronger than ever like he always does," said Hayden. "For me it’s crazy hard work but it’s a chance, 10 years after winning my world title, to get back to my old “dream team”!

"Doing a week-end in Phillip Island on a factory Honda, it’s pretty emotional for me to even think about it, and I’m very grateful for this opportunity and the trust that Honda gives me. I want also to thank my current team for allowing me to go and do this, and the sponsors.

"Everybody worked a lot on every detail to make it possible for me so now I’m excited to get on a plane, to get down to Phillip Island and hopefully I can do a good job for the team. Regarding Phillip Island there are two things to always consider, the weather and the tyres but it’s a track I love and I can’t wait to ride the bike there. Let’s get started on Friday morning and go forward."

Hayden is flying into Australia from Spain, where last weekend he scored two fourth places in the penultimate round of the WorldSBK title.

Meanwhile, Pedrosa has left hospital in Spain, where he underwent successful surgery to his right collarbone last Saturday after a massive highside in Motegi practice the day before.

It's still unclear whether Pedrosa will return to racing at Sepang on October 30, or leave his return until the final round of the MotoGP title at Valencia on November 13.