Qatar MotoGP: Nicky Hayden third but cautiously optimistic

Nicky Hayden refused to get too carried away after he kicked off the new 1000cc MotoGP era by setting the third fastest time in opening practice at the floodlit Losail International Circuit in Qatar tonight.

The Kentucky rider set a best time of 1.56.924 to finish 0.450s behind Casey Stoner and he was comfortably fastest Ducati rider, with team-mate Valentino Rossi down in 10th.

But the 2006 world champion said he wasn’t going to get over confident after just one practice session on the new factory GP12 Desmosedici.

He said: “Things went a little bit better than expected but we are going to stay calm. I don’t’ want to say too much after one session. Let’s wait and talk about it on Sunday if we get a result because FP1 really means nothing. It’s only one practice and we need to see what’s going to happen when the track gets better.

“But I’ve certainly had worst first practices here in Qatar, so it’s nice to start in a good, positive way. We know our bike is improved, we just got to show it. The track was really dirty today, so we’ll see what happens when more grip comes because our biggest problem is grip.

“But when the track is in these conditions I think everybody struggled for grip. Everybody in that box (Ducati) deserves a result and hopefully we can get one here on Sunday.”