Just two weeks on from the postponement of the opening round of the MotoGP World Championship in Qatar due to rain, the series was hit by another freak weather setback in Japan as a torrential downpour led to the cancellation of this afternoon’s qualifying practice.

With this morning’s session having been hit by rain, when Ducati Marlboro rider Nicky Hayden lapped t sixth fastest, yesterday afternoon’s cold but dry opening session was decisive, meaning Nicky Hayden will start back in 12th position.

As a result of the reduced track time today, tomorrow’s warm-up has been extended to 40 minutes for the MotoGP class.

NICKY HAYDEN – (Ducati Marlboro Team) 12th (1’50.393)

“It’s a shame for everybody to have this situation two races in a row. The fans, the teams, the riders… everybody wants to see us line up out there and go into battle so it’s a real shame. This morning was the first chance I’ve really had to ride the bike in the rain – I’ve ridden it in damp conditions but never really in full rain – and I got steadily faster and faster as the session went on. We made some changes that consistently improved the bike and to be honest with you I was looking forward to qualifying in the wet. I liked my chances better in the wet today and I’m not sure what conditions I’d prefer for the race. The forecast is saying it will be dry and after today I think the fans deserve it. For me the circumstances have been unlucky because I need track time with the bike and tyres, especially when we going to tracks for the first time, but it’s race day tomorrow so whatever the weather brings the aim is to just get a good start, go for it and see what happens. Good to know that the warm up will be 40 minutes!”