Hayden fastest in Oz

Reigning world champion Nicky Hayden refused to get carried away despite topping the final timesheets at the Phillip Island test in Australia today.

The American set a best time of 1.29.52 on a soft Michelin qualifying tyre in warm conditions during a mammoth 101-lap final day.

The factory Repsol Honda rider though, who edged out team-mate Dani Pedrosa by 0.2s.

The Spaniard also logged his best time on a qualifying tyre – said the tyre masked some of his ongoing problems with adapting to the new Honda RC212V 800cc machine.

Hayden was only sixth fastest on race tyres, and he said: “I’d say that’s the best day of testing so far this winter but we still got plenty to improve. 

“Some of them guys were faster than me on race tyres and we know that Michelin’s qualifying tyre always works pretty good round Phillip Island. 

“It’s good to top the timesheets for the confidence but some guys weren’t here who we know will be running at the front.”

Meanwhile Hayden is due to fly back to San Francisco from Australia for further medical checks on his right shoulder.

TIMES:

1. Nicky Hayden – Repsol Honda 1.29.52
2. Dani Pedrosa – Repsol Honda 1.29.72
3. Loris Capirossi – Ducati Marlboro 1.30.149
4. Casey Stoner – Ducati Marlboro 1.30.206
5. Alex Hofmann – Pramac d’Antin Ducati 1.30.21
6. Alex Barros – Pramac d’Antin Ducati 1.30.43
7. Carlos Checa – Honda LCR 1.30.46
8. Toni Elias – Gresini Honda 1.30.50
9. Chris Vermeulen – Rizla Suzuki 1.30.72
10. Marco Melandri – Gresini Honda 1.30.80
11. John Hopkins – Rizla Suzuki 1.30.80
12. Shinya Nakano – Konica Minolta Honda 1.30.97
13. Kenny Roberts -Team Roberts 1.31.10