Hayden's the master in second MotoGP practice

Former world champion Nicky Hayden (Honda) has produced the goods in the second MotoGP practice session at the 2008 Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

The Kentucky rider was irresistible in the wet conditions, peeling off a superb 1:38.820 with just 30 seconds remaining in the 60-minute session.

It was enough to see him relegate Italian Andrea Dovizioso (1:39.575), the long-time pacesetter, back to second. Dovizioso is replacing the Ducati-bound Hayden in the factory Honda team for 2009.

Australian Chris Vermeulen (Suzuki), who finished on the podium at Phillip Island’s last wet race in 2006, was third with a best lap of 1:39.824, ahead of compatriot Casey Stoner (Ducati, 1:40.585) and Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha, 1:40.804).

Vermeulen was lucky not to collide with a bird in that session, as Phillip Island wildlife has KO’d a number of riders over the years.

Tomorrow afternoon’s MotoGP qualifying session is expected to be held on the dry track, with the old firm of Stoner and Rossi expected to be back fighting at the pointy end.

Hayden could also continue his rich vein of wet form in the dry, as he does hold the record for the best ever lap at Phillip Island – 1:29.020 during qualifying in 2006.

Hayden is currently languishing eighth in the title after an average year, although he was forced to miss two races after a crash in a Supermoto invitational event in America. He will be Stoner’s new teammate in 2009.

Renowned Aussie wet-weather practitioner, Anthony West (Kawasaki), was 12th. West has lost his ride with Kawasaki for next year and, with all MotoGP seats now accounted for, he may have to look at world Superbike or Supersport to continue his international career.

Practice times