Hayden continues practice leadership on Saturday morning

Fastest on Friday in the wet, Nicky Hayden was once again at the head of the timesheet for the third free practice session in Valencia when the action recommenced on Saturday. Repsol Honda´s departing star became the first rider to breach the 1´44 barrier with his 22nd lap of the morning, clocking a 1´43.940 time in cool conditions.

Speedy in Sepang during practice, Shinya Nakano -another rider participating in his last event for Honda, at least for the immediate future- was second quickest onboard the factory spec San Carlo Honda Gresini version of the RC212V. He was four-tenths of a second down on Hayden´s time.

Seemingly saving the best for last, Marco Melandri put in a surprising series of laps to record the third fastest morning time. The Italian has less than 48 hours to go before he leaves Ducati and, after a season in which he has never got to grips with the Desmosedici GP8, finally found some form in Free Practice 3 at Valencia.

2008 World Champion Valentino Rossi placed fourth, ahead of Andrea Dovizioso and Chris Vermeulen. Casey Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, Loris Capirossi and Alex de Angelis completed the top ten in the session.