Few will forget the emotional conclusion to last season, when the American overturned an eight-point deficit to Valentino Rossi to lift his first world title. But 2007 has been far less successful, for all the Honda riders, with Hayden's factory team-mate Dani Pedrosa the only RC212V competitor to win a race.

Nicky has had to settle for a best of third (three times) in the 17 rounds leading into Valencia and would give just about anything to win on his final race with the #1 plate. That will be a tough proposition, but Hayden has finished on the Valencia podium for the past two seasons and enjoys the challenge of the twisty Spanish track.

"Well here we are on our way to Valencia and I can't quite believe it's the last race of the year," said the 26-year-old. "I'm really looking forward to this weekend but actually I'm not that happy the season is nearly over because we've had decent pace in the last few races and in some ways I wish the season was starting again, not ending. Obviously the season hasn't gone exactly as I'd have liked and I wish there was some more races to go.

"Nonetheless, I'm really looking forward to going back to Valencia because the circuit has a special place in my heart with everything that went down there last year. On top of that I just like the track and the way it's laid out in such a tight area," he confirmed. "It's a track I've gone well at in the past and certainly it's our last chance of the season so we'll try to go out with style. It'll be my last race with the number one plate this year so I'll definitely be pushing as hard as always. To be honest I can't wait for the weekend to begin..."

Hayden will start the Valencia weekend just two points behind countryman Colin Edwards and eighth place in the final world championship standings.