Hayden delighted with Michelin qualifier

The Repsol Honda rider had to abandon what was supposed to be his final flying lap after encountering traffic, but decided to stay out and attempt a second lap on the same qualifying tyres - and duly leapt up to the front row.

"I cancelled my first lap because I came upon a group of guys, so I just shut her down, did a slow lap and the tyre was awesome," said Hayden.

"To go two laps on a qualifier, I wasn't sure it was going to make it, but right to the end it was still good."

Hayden is optimistic that he can stay at the front in the race and fight for a second consecutive podium finish.

"I think the bike and tyres are working pretty good here," he said.

"Sure, we've got some work to do if we really want to be in there tomorrow. But this weekend everything seems pretty good.

"The team made some pretty big changes from yesterday, and those were a big help. My bike's running well, so it's good to have a Honda on the front row at their home GP.

"Tomorrow's the show, that's when it counts and I need to turn it into a result. But hopefully I can get a good start and get in there, go for it and see what happens. I'm excited."

Dani Pedrosa, who unlike Hayden now runs on Bridgestone tyres, put the second works Honda fifth on the grid.

The team announced this weekend that current JiR Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso will replace Hayden in the factory Honda line-up next year, with the American moving to Ducati alongside Casey Stoner.