Great track, but 'suicide to run wide'.

Qatar's brand new Losail circuit received a universal 'thumbs up' after the first day of MotoGP track action - the sweeping layout providing plenty of safe challenges for the premier-class riders - but a new problem emerged in the form of sand on the track surface...

If you race in the desert its safe to say that sand will be a factor, but with little experience of what effect this has on grip levels much of the MotoGP grid - Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau included - were caught out by just how slippery the surface would become.

"This morning it was like riding in the rain, you had to really tiptoe around, but it was a lot better this afternoon, though still not good," said Ducati's Troy Bayliss.

Indeed, while the racing line would surrender more grip as the day went on - allowing lap times to fall by almost six-seconds - the track remained ultra-slick off the thin racing line.

"The racing line is narrow and it would be verging on suicide to stray off it; the grip level drops dramatically away from the clean part of the surface," confirmed Fuchs Kawasaki rider Alex Hofmann, thirteenth fastest today, before revealing his favourite part of the circuit:

"The section of track coming off turn ten is perfect for a MotoGP bike, as it accelerates sideways from second up to fifth gear: Fantastic!"

Repsol Honda's Nicky Hayden, seventh fastest today, agreed with the German's description of a thrilling, but treacherous, racetrack.

"The layout of the track is good and there are some real fun sections. The last part is my favourite bit - they have done a good job here but the grip is just terrible!" he exclaimed.

"I'd say this is definitely the slickest track I've even ridden. It's getting better but it's going to be slick for the weekend," added the American. "If you get off line - out of the wheel tracks - you'd better be ready to save it - but I guess it's the same for everyone."

Because of the off line dust, a strong performance in Friday's final qualifying session is seen as crucial, since overtaking may well prove tricky on race day.