Hayden: Tragedy puts problems into perspective.

MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden may have endured a frustrating start to the 2007 season, with a best finish of seventh leaving him just ninth in the points, but such difficulties were put firmly into perspective by the death of his young cousin.

10-year-old Ethan Gillim, one of the leading youth riders in America, died from injuries sustained while competing in a dirt track race in his homeland - the news reaching Hayden during the recent Chinese Grand Prix weekend.

"Things have been tough this year, and when I heard the news on Sunday in China that my little cousin had been killed in a flat-track accident it really put things back in perspective quickly," said the Repsol Honda rider, whose father helped sponsor Ethan. "That was a tough one for sure that hit too close to home, but I just hope to get a solid result in his memory this weekend. Honestly though after the week and all that's happened, I really can't wait to get back in saddle, and to the sport I love."

Hayden's Shanghai hopes ended at turn one when he was rammed by Toni Elias, forcing the Kentuckian off track. Nicky subsequently brought his damaged bike home in twelfth and desperately wants to run up front this weekend at Le Mans.

"I really need get a good result for myself and for the team in France, and we'll definitely be going all out for that," he confirmed. "I wouldn't say Le Mans is one of my favourite tracks, but that's just probably because I have never had a very good result there, which can take the fun out of any track I guess. So I hope all that changes this weekend. We've still got some distance to go to get the bike working for me and put ourselves in a position to fight for wins, but the guys are right behind me and I know Honda's pushing hard to improve the performance - and Michelin too."