Marlboro Ducati's Nicky Hayden reckons it is time for his season to get going this weekend and to put the disastrous opening two MotoGP rounds which brought two crashes out of his head.

The 2006 MotoGP World Champion says that although his start to the season has been tough, he is now working much better with the Ducati crew and is praying for some dry weather.

“I can’t deny that it’s been a tough start to the season, especially in Japan, but we have to move on and look ahead. Now we go to Jerez and even though we didn’t have a great test there in March, things are different now," said Hayden.

"At Motegi I felt as though the communication within the team had improved, the work we’re doing together as a group is becoming more smooth, so I’m looking forward to starting again at Jerez with a clear and positive mind. I don’t even want to think about the possibility of it raining again there!

"At the moment it looks like the forecast is good but it seems as though somebody upstairs likes seeing MotoGP riders in the wet! Joking aside, it would be nice to have a ‘normal’ weekend so that we can work properly on the bike. I want my season to finally get going!”