Hayden turns 'fall guy'.

Nicky Hayden's first day on a MotoGP machine since winning his home grand prix was something of a frustrating affair as the Repsol Honda rider was caught out by the weather conditions this afternoon at Donington Park.

The American had been ninth fastest in the dry morning hour, but with drizzle arriving in time for the afternoon session the #69 would act as the 'fall guy' for the rest of the field when he lost the front of his factory RCV on the way into turn one - most of the other riders immediately pitting after seeing his error. Nicky would return later in the session but was again a victim of poor timing.

"Didn't get too much done today really," admitted Hayden. "This morning went OK but we were missing a bit of feeling. We were trying to get some laps on a race tyre as we knew the weather for the weekend could be bad. We didn't really get much out of the afternoon. I came in when it rained and then came out again when it looked dryer.

"It then started raining again and I wanted to get a little feel in the rain and unfortunately tipped over in Turn 1 going slow and pretty easy. Pretty stupid little mistake - all my own fault and I'm sorry to the team," he said. "By the time I went out again it was raining again! The timing was all wrong. That's the way it goes. You have your good days and your bad days - this wasn't great."

But team-mate Max Biaggi had an even tougher day, struggling in FP1 and being left 12th overall as a result. The Roman was however, one of the few riders to improve in the afternoon - but is looking for a lot more.

"This morning the feeling was not so good and we were down on speed. We were just not fast enough. We made some changes for the afternoon session and immediately the bike started to feel a bit better. We aim tomorrow to improve the feeling and we aim to enjoy, as this pace is not acceptable," he said.

"A bit of an anti-climax after the Laguna weekend but this happens in this sport - especially when the conditions make it so difficult for everyone," commented team manager Makoto Tanaka. "It is much easier for all when it is either full wet or full dry. I understand we may have some full wet conditions before the weekend is finished. We have a long way to go yet."

Meanwhile, both Repsol riders, along with most of the MotoGP grid, took part in the traditional Day of Champions activities held at the circuit yesterday that raised a record ?172,000 for the charity, Riders for Health.

The day culminated in the auction in which the public bid for items donated by the riders where ?62,000 was pledged.

Biaggi's helmet raised ?2800 but the star of the evening had to be Hayden who, after auctioning off his crash helmet and a limited print of his Laguna victory, was persuaded to offer a special pair of GAS jeans... The plucky American stripped to his boxer shorts and helped raise another ?500 and a huge smile from the capacity audience!