Hayden couldn't face another fourth

The Ducati rider had four fourth positions earlier in the season - invariably missing out on the podium by tiny margins or due to last-lap passes.

He admitted he was dreading being in the same position again at Aragon had he not been able to overtake championship leader Lorenzo's Yamaha.

"The race was not easy with me and Jorge," said Hayden.

"I was able to stay there and stay there, but really there was nowhere I could ever get a wheel in.

"Then on the last couple of laps I was pushing hard and I just said 'not fourth again today...' and was able to make a move stick - kind of a backyard move - in the chicane and hold him off to the line."

The American's last podium came just over a year ago in the 2009 Indianapolis Grand Prix, and he was relieved to end the long barren spell.

"It's nice to be on the podium. It's been a really good weekend for us," Hayden said.

"I was fastest this morning and now the first podium of the year.

"It's taken a while, but it's nice to be up here and I'll try to get up here a few more times before the season's over."