Hayden laps fastest in final British practice

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DONINGTON PARK, England (Reuters) - Honda's MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden showed signs of turning his depressing run of results around on Saturday with the fastest lap in final free practice for Sunday's British Grand Prix.

With threatened rain holding off, the American lapped the Donington Park circuit in one minute 29.798 seconds with compatriot John Hopkins second on a Suzuki.

Hayden's Spanish team mate Dani Pedrosa was third with Australia's championship leader Casey Stoner fourth on the timesheets for Ducati. The top four were separated by just 0.136 seconds.

Former champion Valentino Rossi was eighth after running wide into the gravel.

Hayden's hopes of defending his title petered out early with a dismal run of form, leaving the Kentucky rider 11th in the championship after seven races and with only 41 points to Stoner's 140. He has yet to finish higher than seventh.

However he was second fastest on Friday and sounding far more cheerful after a positive test in Barcelona last week left him feeling more comfortable on the bike.

The American is also fully recovered from a crash in the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.

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