Ducati's departing works star Nicky Hayden is back on the MotoGP front row for the first time since Jerez in 2012 and had been all set for pole until he was denied by Jorge Lorenzo and Marc Marquez.
Hayden said that in the rain, the Desmosedici doesn't suffer from all the problems it does in the dry and he was able to put in fast, consistent laps until it just started to dry out.
"Our bike works well in the wet. We don't have any of the little problems that we have in the dry, the turning is nothing like as big an issue; the wheelie and chatter all disappear. Our bike works well in the rain. It's a shame for the fans and people but we do look forward to it," said Hayden, speaking at Motegi.
"I'm very happy to be on the front row after a difficult season. On the other hand, I'm a bit disappointed because there were times in the session where I was very fast and had good feeling. I thought pole position was a possibility but in the last ten minutes, as the track dried out, other guys really stepped it up and I wasn't able to improve.
"The important thing is try to take advantage of the front row. We know if it is dry, things will be difficult but it's nicer to be starting at the front."
