Marlboro Ducati's Nicky Hayden isn't expecting a return to the sideways, tyre-smoking MotoGP action of the 990cc vintage this season but says he is looking forward to a larger displacement bike and racing being 'different' in 2012.

The Kentuckian, who has been able to remove the sling he had been wearing after his post-Christmas flat-track fall, reckons he won't be back to full fitness for the Sepang test in two weeks but has already begun training on an indoor pushbike.

“I’m much better so I’ve been able to remove the sling right on schedule. Here at Madonna di Campiglio, I’m starting to do a little training on a stationary bicycle under the supervision of the team physiotherapist, with the goal of being ready for the Sepang test as strong as possible. I can’t wait to ride the GP12, because it will be my first time ever," said the 2006 world champion.

"I wasn’t able to try it in the post-race test at Valencia, and I definitely won’t miss the next chance. I never made any secret that I prefer the new displacement to the 800s, although I think things will be much different than in 2006, beginning with the tyres, and the electronics have also come a long way. We’ll have more power, and we’ll have to find the right balance between controlling it while still taking as much advantage of it as we can.

"I’ve stayed in contact with Filippo (Preziosi) and the guys in the Ducati Corse department over the winter, and I know they’ve worked really hard. We’ll have a lot of things to try at Sepang. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m also confident that we can start to reduce the gap between now and the first race at Qatar. I believe in Ducati, this project and Filippo, and I want to get back on my Ducati as soon as possible.”