Hayden takes Phillip Island pole

Phillip Island, Australia:

American Nicky Hayden won the MotoGP pole position for the second consecutive year for Sunday's Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix. With about five minutes to go in the hour-long qualifying session Saturday, Hayden sped around the 4.445-kilometer Phillip Island circuit in 1 minute, 29.020 seconds. "It was a good day, our tires went well, and it's good to be out there in first," said Hayden. "But we've got a lot of work to do before tomorrow." Japan's Shinya Nakano, on a Kawasaki, moved into the second position on the front row in the final seconds of qualifying, relegating five-time Australian defending champion Valentino Rossi of Italy into third. "Nicky is in front, but not by much, so it should be a good race," said Rossi. "We're hoping for good weather." Rossi, the 2005 MotoGP world champion, won last week's Malaysian Grand Prix to move within 26 points of world standings leader Hayden with 214. In the second and final 125cc qualifying session Saturday, Mika Kallio of Finland, riding a KTM, maintained the fastest time he recorded in Friday's first qualifying session, posting 1:36.625 to take the pole position. Championship leader Alvaro Bautista of Spain was second-fastest, improving on his fifth placing from Friday. Bautista, with a time of 1:36.800, has qualified on the front row in all but one race this year and has finished on the podium in 11 of the 12 races. (AP)