Hayden heads to Laguna Seca this weekend as yet another rider who has struggled to get to grips with the Desmosedici GP9, with the former world champion currently sitting 13^th in the rider’s standings.

Results have improved of late for The Kentucky Kid, with two top ten finishes in the last two rounds including a best result of the season last week in Assen following recent changes in the Ducati camp.

But Hayden is still keeping his feet on the ground and was careful not to build up the expectation amongst American fans.

“We still have a lot of work to do but it has been nice to see a little progress over the last few weeks and at Laguna I really need to take another big step,” he said.

“All I know to do is keep trying and working at it and hope it will come.

“Laguna is a great track and very challenging. There are a few points that stick out but in general it is different to most tracks, which usually have a few different sections, whereas Laguna is basically just one section and you have to put it all together to make a good lap.

“This year we’re racing in America on the Fourth of July weekend and it’s perfect - I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday than at the US Grand Prix!

“This will be the first time my American fans get to see me on a Ducati so that will be cool because there are a lot of strong Ducati fans in the States. No predictions or anything, but we’ll go full gas and see what happens.”

The MotoGP world champion’s earnings in 2008, including salary, prize money, sponsorship and endorsements, totalled a cool $35m (£21.4m), moving up from 7^th place last year and putting him level in the earnings league with Renault F1 driver Fernando Alonso.

Unsurprisingly, David Beckham topped the list of high earning non-Americans, pocketing $45.2 million (£27.6m) last year with Ferrari F1 driver and former world champion Kimi Raikkonen ($40.1m), Philippine boxer Manny Pacquio ($40m) and Barcelona football star Lionel Messi ($39.9m) also ahead of the 100 time grand prix winner.

Tiger Woods remained the world’s top earning sportsman although the credit crunch did reduce his overall earnings from $127.9m in 2007 to “just” $99.7m (£61m) last year. The figure still eclipses the next highest earner - Tiger’s golfing rival Phil Mickelson who scooped $52.9m.

It’s not the first time that Rossi’s earnings have hit the headlines although previously, for far more negative reasons.

Italian tax authorities had previously challenged Rossi’s claim to British residency and in 2007, Rossi was placed under investigation on suspicion of around €60m of undeclared earnings between 2000 and 2004. Reports suggested that the authorities were seeking some €120m including unpaid tax, interest and penalties. The matter was later settled last year, with Rossi agreeing to pay around €35m to settle the matter.

The Japanese rider will not feature at this weekend’s grand prix, despite travelling to California earlier this week and will not feature in any remaining rounds this season. The decision means that the premier class of MotoGP will be without a Japanese rider for the first time in 18 years.

The writing was on the wall for Takahashi when the cash-strapped Scot Honda team drafted in Hungarian rider Gabor Talmasci earlier this month, with the former 250cc bringing much needed sponsorship with him.

In both Barcelona and Assen, the Scot team continued to run with just two bikes in the garage, spilt between the riders, with many questioning how the team would approach flag-to-flag races. It later transpired that the team had attempted to secure two additional motorcycles from Honda to accommodate both riders although that request has been turned down. As a result, Scot Honda were left with no option but to drop the 25-year-old.

“For Honda as well as the Scot Racing Team, this is a sad announcement,” said HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto. “But we understand that the extremely challenging financial circumstances facing the team left them with no choice.

“Takahashi was the only Japanese rider in the MotoGP championship and of course Honda wanted to see him continue. But in the end the team made it clear that this outcome was impossible and we respect their decision.

“Honda will continue to support the Scot Racing Team in MotoGP with Gabor Talmacsi riding.”

Despite qualifying and starting well in Holland, the Spaniard suffered his second DNF of the season after a crash on lap five of Saturday’s Grand Prix to end his already slim title hopes and leave the factory Repsol Honda team without a victory in over 12 months, the last coming in Barcelona last season.

But despite the crash, Pedrosa is confident that he can still put in a strong performance in California despite his fitness problems.

“I’m actually really looking forward to getting to Laguna and I’m feeling confident going into the weekend - as I was before Assen,” claimed the 23-year-old. “The result there wasn’t great, but there’s no reason why we can’t have a strong race in the US.

“I felt much better on the bike in Assen than I did in Barcelona and, although my physical fitness is not at 100% because I haven’t been training as usual for quite a while, the injury is getting better and isn’t giving me any problems on the machine.

“The Laguna track itself is unique and it can be a lot of fun to ride - as long as you’re going quickly. When you’re struggling it obviously isn’t quite as much fun!

“As a team we’ve got to continue working hard and bring the whole machine package up to a level where we can compete for wins again. We’re making progress and with luck Laguna will take us closer to that target.”

In a disastrous weekend for Repsol Honda in Assen, Pedrosa’s teammate Andrea Dovizioso crashed out at the same corner just a few laps later and the Italian is also looking for a swift recovery this weekend.

“I really look forward to the race in Laguna Seca,” claimed Dovizioso. “The track itself and the whole atmosphere makes coming to Laguna a fascinating experience. Last year was the first time that I had raced in the United States and I was impressed by this track.

“Some parts are quite dangerous and very different from the European standard of racetracks we are used to, but the whole atmosphere is incredible and I like it a lot. I’m confident that we can have a good race here.

“Last year I had a good battle and finished 4th, which I was pleased with. I feel as though I’ve come fourth enough times this year though, so I hope to make the step up.

“At each race we’re getting closer to the leading riders but we’re still not close enough yet. So we need to work hard to get the speed and consistency we need.”

The Finnish rider suffered a broken finger during the high speed crash on the final lap of Saturday’s Dutch TT and has been forced to miss this weekend’s round in California. The injury also meant that Kallio lost a finger nail with the wound becoming infected shortly after.

The Pramac Ducati rider crashed whilst leading a group of six riders all vying for sixth place, before pressure from British rider James Toseland forced him into the costly error.

The rider will miss the round eight meeting and could also miss the German Grand Prix two weeks later, meaning that his return to action will be at the British Grand Prix at Donington on July 24-26.

Pramac will not be drafting in a wildcard replacement, meaning that Niccolo Canepa will be the team’s sole entrant.

“I was so excited to race in Laguna Seca, but I guess destiny wanted to be this way and I will have to renounce,” said Kallio. “It’s a pity. We have taken this decision together with Pramac Racing Managers and I think this is probably the best solution.

“Laguna would have been a new circuit to learn for me and with precarious physical conditions we thought it would have been too risky.

“I will look after myself in the best way possible to be in good form at the Sachsenring, which is by the way one of my favourite circuits of the world championship. I wish all the best to Niccolò who will have to do well for the Pramac Team this weekend.”

Rossi became only the second rider in history to take 100 MotoGP victories with Saturday’s win in Assen although the Yamaha rider still remains 22 short of Agostini’s all-time record achieved between 1964 and his final race win in Germany 1976.

Comparisons have been made between the pair but Rossi has dismissed any notion of anyone but Agostini being regarded as the world’s greatest.

“It’s very difficult to compare,” said Rossi. “First, Agostini has 22 more [victories], that’s a lot of races. For sure Agostini did two classes, but at the same time the races in one season were less than now. So I think it’s more or less the same amount of races.

“Unfortunately I never saw Giacomo race, just on the old tapes. I think it’s impossible to compare, but anyway he has 22 more wins so he is the greatest.”

Rossi has also dismissed suggestions that his future in MotoGP will be influenced by the prospect of breaking the record. With his contract with Yamaha due to expire in 2010, the Italian is set to make a decision in the next 12 months over his immediate future although he did hint at an extended stay in the sport.

“I have good motivation now, and I feel good and I feel fast on the bike,” he added.

“I don’t know if I will reach Giacomo’s record, because it’s 22 more [wins]. But I have a contract for next year, so for sure in 2010 I will ride for Yamaha in MotoGP. And during next season, I think I will decide.”

He added that at present he was inclined to stay on in MotoGP for several more seasons.

“If I had to decide now, I would continue, because I think it’s possible to do another three or four years, but you never know,” said Rossi.

After a series of positive pre-season performances following a thorough testing regime, Suzuki had high hopes of challenging Honda, Ducati and Yamaha at the front of the championship. But the results have failed to materialise, with a fifth place finish the best result that either Suzuki rider has managed to achieve so far this season.

But Aussie rider Vermeulen believes that the trip to California could kick start his season given his season.

The 27-year-old has a good record at Laguna Seca, having finished on the podium for the past two years and is seeking a repeat performance this time around.

“I’m really looking forward to Laguna Seca,” he claimed. “It’s certainly one of my favourite circuits and I’ve been on the podium there for the last two years, as well as a pole position in 2006. I certainly want to try and repeat those performances and get the Suzuki on the podium for the first time in 2009.

“I hope it is a good race for all the fans and that the weather is as nice as it usually is. I am sure we can be competitive from day one and put on a good show.”

Teammate Loris Capirossi is also talking up his chances after struggling with injury at the circuit last year.

“I wasn’t at full strength at Laguna last year following my crash at Assen and all the changes in direction really made it a painful race for me,” he claimed. “This year I am going there fully fit and the bike seems to be improving every time I ride it, so we are hoping to be right up amongst the front guys this weekend.

“The season still has a long way to go and I am now in-touch with the top-five in the championship and that certainly has to be our target - to break into that group and go from strength-to-strength at every race.”

The Fiat Yamaha rider was rarely troubled as he romped home to victory at the so-called Cathedral of motorcycling to become only the second rider in history to take 100 career chequered flags.

In a somewhat processional race in Holland, Rossi finished more than five seconds ahead of teammate Jorge Lorenzo to break the deadlock at the top of the championship, with Ducati’s Casey Stoner completing a familiar looking podium line-up.

After taking the victory Rossi celebrated in typically flamboyant style, unfurling a giant montage of his previous 99 victories in front of his supporters, and set his sights on closing the gap between him and Giacomo Agostini’s all-time record of 122.

“This is a very emotional moment and for sure I will remember this 100th victory for the rest of my life,” said Rossi. “When I reached 70, 100 seemed a long way away but here I am and it has been great, great fun getting here.

“It is down to so many people, like Jeremy and my guys who have been with me for ten years and all of the team who always give 100% and always give me the best bike possible. Especially however I have to thank the friends who have been with me my whole life and my father Graziano, who won here in Assen 30 years ago when I was a baby, and my mother Stefania, because they have always supported me.

“It’s great to reach this moment here at Assen because it’s the ‘Cathedral’ of motorcycle racing and the most historic track we go to. Today was a perfect race - I got a great start and my bike was incredible which meant that my pace was very strong. In fact I think it was better for everyone’s hearts not to have another last-lap battle like in Barcelona! I had a good advantage from Lorenzo in some parts of the track and it was a great ride for me.

“Now I have 100 wins and I’m only the second rider to arrive at this number, but Agostini still has 22 more and for me he is still the greatest. 100 is a great result but the atmosphere in our team is wonderful and the motivation is still as high as ever - we want to win a few more races together yet!”

Elsewhere, it was a strong weekend for Tech3 Yamaha as Colin Edwards finished fourth and Britain’s James Toseland equalled his previous best MotoGP finish, capitalising on last-lap errors from Mika Kallio, Toni Elias and Loris Capirossi to take sixth.

It was a less positive weekend for the Repsol Honda team, with first Dani Pedrosa and later Andrea Dovizioso both crashing out at the same corner.

In the 125cc championship, Bradley Smith moved back up to second in the rider’s standings after a third place finish behind Sergio Gadea and Julian Simon.

In a see-saw battle with Casey Stoner and teammate Jorge Lorenzo, the world champion booked his place at the front of the grid with a time of 1:36.025, 0.085sec ahead of Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa.

The injury-prone Spaniard was the only rider in the top five not to have help the top position at some stage during the hour-long session but a surge in the final ten minutes saw him follow Rossi across the line in the second fastest time of the day.

The lead changed hands throughout the session between Stoner, Rossi, Lorenzo and Tech 3 Yamaha rider Colin Edwards before the usual suspects were left to fight it out in the latter stages of a session that ended on a sour note with both Stoner and Alex de Angelis venting their frustration.

Jorge Lorenzo continued his 100% record of front row starts with the third fastest time whilst Stoner will lead the second row tomorrow alongside Edwards and Loris Capriossi.

De Angelis was lucky to avoid a serious accident with Gabor Talmasci after he reacted to what was an apparent obstruction just before the line by Suzuki rider Capirossi whilst Stoner was clearly angered by what seemed to be a block from Jorge Lorenzo as the riders came into the pit lane at the end.

British rider James Toseland put in an improved performance, holding fourth position early on before dropping back down to ninth.

The Honda satellite team have fended off reported interest from Suzuki and Yamaha for the highly sought after Italian, who will ride with the Gresini team in his rookie season in premier class racing.

Gresini are generally regarded to have a close relationship with HRC and, with rookies now banned from signing with factory teams, the move is largely considered to be preparation for Simoncelli switch to the Repsol factory Honda team in 2011.

“Marco has that determination and character that we want from a rider as part of his DNA and we are sure we can look ahead to exciting times with him,” said team principal Fausto Gresini.

“Marco has shown over the past couple of years that he has the ability to be a major force in the premier class, as well as being a great communicator. We have established a good feeling with him already and that facilitated negotiations over a contract that we have signed for 2010. Also, Honda rates Simoncelli highly and believes he is a rider with great potential for the future, so Honda is very pleased that we are welcoming Simoncelli next season.”

As well as signing the 22-year-old, Gresini received an additional boost ahead of this weekend’s round in Assen, announcing an extension to their sponsorship with Italian food manufacturer San Carlo.

“Having Marco with us creates new and important objectives for the team, which San Carlo want to reach together with us. The determination on the part of San Carlo to be an active part of “sport that makes life taste better” has given our project another push.

” Today is an important day for San Carlo and ourselves, and as we wait in expectation of great things together in the future, we wish Marco all the best in his bid to fight until the end and successfully defend his 250 title.”