The Americans are in for a treat on Sunday
Published in The Telegraph - 21/07/07

I did think about losing three stone, implanting false boobs, adopting a comedy trout pout and filming my terribly important arrival in Los Angeles, but darn, Mrs B beat me to it. And, just as our American friends seem generally unaware of the Beckhams' existence (and, more to the point, Mr Beckham's chosen sport), so too is there a similar air of mystery about MotoGP in the States. But the sport's low profile is slowly changing, albeit without the media frenzy that envelops the Beckhams.

The main reason for this growing awareness rests firmly on the shoulders of reigning World Champion Nicky Hayden, who was born in Kentucky. It was pretty good timing that Hayden's return to form, after a dire first half to the season, coincides with his home grand prix at Laguna Seca, California. Over the past few years this meeting has grown in stature and the attendance has risen with it.