Hayden frustrated to fall back again

The American lamented a lack of grip and qualified his factory Ducati in a lowly 15th position, following good progress made in the previous two races which he started from the eighth and the fourth slots of the grid.

"It's not coming at all," said the 2006 world champion. "It's been a really frustrating weekend, because we'd been making progress and every time I went out it felt better and better, and this weekend has been tough.

"I think a lot of it is down to not being able to get enough grip into the tyres. I can't get enough heat and can't make the tyres work for me, especially in the left-handers. I get no feeling from the bike. That's where our priority is."

Because of the difficulty in understanding the cause of his problems, Hayden feels he has better chances in wet conditions, and his fourth best time in this morning warm-up could be proof of that.

"It's been tough today," he continued. "It's not back to square one, but it's been a frustrating day. But we're not back to zero.

"Starting 15th with my race pace I'd be lying if I said I hope it's not wet... Normally when you're struggling in the dry this bad, you're not going to be magic in the wet. But I like my chances better in the wet."