1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B)
2. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M)
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M)
4. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B)
5. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M)
6. Ben Spies USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B)
7. Sylvain Guintoli FRA Alice Team (B)
8. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (B)

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

1. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1′40.776
2. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1′40.860
3. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1′41.177
4. Nicky Hayden USA Repsol Honda Team (M) 1′41.271
5. Ben Spies USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1′41.464
6. Randy de Puniet FRA LCR Honda MotoGP (M) 1′41.492
7. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1′41.744
8. Dani Pedrosa SPA Repsol Honda Team (B) 1′41.754

Relentless rain dominated proceedings at Indy today, with Repsol Honda RC212V rider Nicky Hayden ending the first two sessions eighth fastest.

The rain is perhaps something of a blessing in disguise for the Kentucky Kid, who is riding with a foot injury. The low-grip conditions reduce the amount of physical input riders need to put into the bike through the handlebars and footrests. Hayden is still getting around on crutches to protect the still-healing right heel he broke during a Supermotard ride on August 1.

Riders were allowed an extra 30 minutes this morning to learn their way around the new Indy MotoGP track, Hayden working throughout the day with his crew and his Michelin technicians to get maximum grip around the patchy circuit. The rain got heavier this afternoon, so lap times were mostly slower. During the final ten minutes the downpour increased to the extent that deep puddles were forming around the track, causing aquaplaning.

Nicky Hayden, 8th fastest, 1m 53.931s

1. Anthony West AUS Kawasaki Racing Team (B) 1′54.274
2. Chris Vermeulen AUS Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1′55.032
3. Alex de Angelis RSM San Carlo Honda Gresini (B) 1′55.067
4. Valentino Rossi ITA Fiat Yamaha Team (B) 1′55.425
5. Ben Spies USA Rizla Suzuki MotoGP (B) 1′55.869
6. Andrea Dovizioso ITA JiR Team Scot MotoGP (M) 1′56.225
7. Jorge Lorenzo SPA Fiat Yamaha Team (M) 1′56.313
8. Casey Stoner AUS Ducati Marlboro Team (B) 1′56.458

Nicky Hayden, in front of his compatriots again, hopes to put in a good race after recovering from his injured right heel

The legendary track of Indianapolis in the USA, makes its first ever appearance in the World Motorcycling Championship calendar this weekend. A legendary circuit because of its oval shape, one which normally witnesses spectacular Nascar races, will this weekend be converted into the setting for the 2008 season`s 13th race.

After this race in the USA the teams and riders will go to Japan in just a few weeks – Motegi, then Australia – Philip Island and Malaysia – Sepang – to bring the season to a climax in Valencia at the end of October.

Indianapolis will be a big challenge for the riders in the three categories, above all because of the peculiar characteristics of the American track, and because all the teams know absolutely nothing about it. It is located inside an oval, there are a couple of narrow, very slow curves that the riders will have to take special care on this weekend

Nicky Hayden decided not to race after sitting out the morning warm-up session. The 2006 MotoGP World Champion broke two bones in his right heel when he made a heavy landing during practice for the Los Angeles X Games Supermoto event on August 1. He missed the recent Czech Grand Prix but was determined to ride here, following treatment including bone stimulator, laser and ultrasound therapy.

Nicky Hayden is currently walking with the aid of crutches or a walking stick to keep pressure off the heel to aid healing. Unfortunately, riding at Misano was only making the still-healing bones worse, with possible consequences for the final five races of the season. This morning Hayden and his team therefore took the tough decision to withdraw from today’s race. He will fly to the US tomorrow to continue treatment and get the foot in the best-possible shape for the Indianapolis Grand Prix on September 12/13/14.

Nicky Hayden, did not start, 11th in World Championship