By Julian Shea

Hayden has made the podium in every race but one

Championship leader Nicky Hayden says he can get even better as the MotoGP championship reaches its midway point at this weekend's British Grand Prix.

The Repsol Honda rider comes to Donington 42 points clear of Dani Pedrosa, with Loris Capirossi third and Valentino Rossi in fourth place.

"I feel confident, I'm still hungry and my guys are getting better and better," the American told BBC Sport.

"No-one would have expected me to be leading, so I'm just having fun now."

Hayden, 24, is the most consistent performer in this year's championship, having finished on the podium in all but one race so far.

However, he had to wait until the last race in Holland to claim his first win of the season, when Colin Edwards crashed on the final lap.

"I've always felt like I could win a lot, so I didn't let it get to me that I hadn't yet, and I concentrated on doing the best I could," he said.

I'm as much of a fan as anyone else and I love to see good racing Nicky Hayden

"Sure it wasn't cool to come second and third all the time, and it was getting frustrating to not get that last little extra bit.

"I suppose to finally win was important for me and the team, but it was also important just to get the extra points."

In Assen, Edwards clawed back a one-second deficit on the final lap to lead Hayden before coming off his bike at the last corner, and Hayden said the race had been a learning experience.

"When I saw I had a one-second lead, I thought Colin was done, and if I didn't make any mistakes, I'd be all right," he said.

"But he caught up on me, so it was exciting that it came down to how it did. I've certainly watched that last chicane a couple of times since."

As well as being the most consistent finisher this season, Hayden is the steadiest qualifier, despite not yet having started on pole.

Last year at Donington he started fifth on the grid and lasted 27 of the 29 laps in pouring rain.

But despite his form this season and his commanding lead, Hayden said he expected a stiff test this weekend.

"Donington's a tricky circuit and takes a lot of guts," he said.

"You've got to be brave. The last few years I've struggled a bit in the last stages so I definitely want to get through the last two corners a little bit cleaner."

This year's MotoGP championship has turned out to be one of the most eventful in years, with the eight races so far producing five different winners.

And Hayden told BBC Sport he was loving every minute of being the leader in such a dramatic race.

"I appreciate how exciting it is for the fans, because I'm as much of a fan as anyone else and I love to see good racing," said Hayden.

"Now I'm in a good position and have an awesome team behind me. A lot of hard work is paying off, and I'm really enjoying it."