Repsol Honda rider Nicky Hayden was in storming form during this afternoon’s sun-blessed Indianapolis qualifying session, battling for pole position and finally ending up fourth fastest to lead the second row, just 0.094 seconds off the front row.

Following yesterday’s all-day downpour, the sun shone at Indy today, though the wind got up as the day went on, heralding the arrival of Hurricane Ike, which is due to reach Indy tomorrow. Heavy rain and thunderstorms are predicted for much of the day.

This morning’s session starting out on a damp track, but this afternoon’s outing was all dry. Hayden set the pace in the early stages, entertaining the crowd with some smokin’ exits from turn 13. Working with his crew he got his RC212V handling well around the brand-new Indy MotoGP track. Hayden is still riding in some pain from the broken right heel he suffered six weeks ago.

The Kentucky Kid is wearing a special home-race helmet here, celebrating his lifelong support for the Indianapolis Colts football team.

Nicky Hayden, 4th fastest, 1′41.271

“That was nearly the front row but outside on the second row ain’t a bad spot. I feel this is the best race pace I’ve had in a while; a few times when I’ve qualified good this year it’s just been one lap with a qualifier. I enjoyed today, even this morning in the damp. Yesterday in the heavy rain, man, I was hydroplaning everywhere, it wasn’t any fun. I had a lot more fun today, the bike was working a lot better, we made some geometry tweaks to make it feel better and I was able to be more consistent. The bike certainly felt pretty good and the Michelin tyres felt pretty good. For the race it’s surely looking wet. It would be awesome to catch a break and get in a dry race, because I feel this is the best race package I’ve had in a while. If it’s dry we’ve got an idea on tyres. If it’s wet, my set-up yesterday wasn’t working real good. If it’s heavy, heavy rain we need to do something different. It would’ve been nice to be on the front row, we could certainly use a bit of a boost because my guys are working real hard and I’ve got a lot of support here: friends, family and fans. We’ll see what happens tomorrow, try to have a bit of fun, see how it goes. The special helmet paint is for the Indianapolis Colts. When I was a kid I played Pop Warner football and I was a Colt, that was my team. It was me, my little brother and one of my best friends. Colts have always been my favourite team. And the horseshoe, maybe I could do with a bit of good luck!”

Kazuhiko Yamano - Team Manager

“Nicky has done a great job today, so close to the front row. Also he has a good race pace, though I know it’s not easy for him because he still feels pain in the right foot. This is his home GP, so I know he will be doing everything to score a podium result for his fans, for sure he deserves it. His machine and his tyres seem okay, Michelin have done a good job here. Now we must wait and see what happens with the weather.”