Monster Yamaha Tech3's Cal Crutchlow (Photo: Yamaha Racing)

Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi (Ducati), who qualified 11th and came close to crashing late in the session himself, explained the tricky balancing act.

"This asphalt doesn't have a lot of grip -- especially the light-colored asphalt is very slippery and is very hard on tire wear -- but at the same time it creates a lot of temperature," Rossi said.

"Bridgestone bring tires here that are harder on the edge so this together with the asphalt means you see the highside type of crash. But this tire is the one that suits this asphalt because with a normal tire it is difficult to arrive at the end of the race (because of wear), so it is balance.

"But that corner (Turn 12/13) where Nicky and Casey crashed is very long on the left side and creates a lot of temperature so it is easy to make a mistake."

And it was primarily a lack of rear tire grip that contributed to Rossi's poor qualifying performance and he finished 1.9s slower than pole winner Dani Pedrosa (Honda).

"With the higher temperature this afternoon we suffered a lot with rear grip and I was slower compared to the morning when a set-up change gave me a better feeling with the bike," Rossi said.

"It is a pity. I have to start further back but this year is very difficult, very tough, and now we have to understand a change for tomorrow and see if I can have a good rhythm for the race."

The higher horsepower and weight of the new 1000cc MotoGP bikes, up from 800cc last year, may also be a factor according to British rider Cal Crutchlow of the Monster Tech3 Yamaha team.

In Friday practice Crutchlow suffered a similar crash to Hayden today.

"It is just unfortunate but it is a long corner and we have got 1000cc bikes and we have got a load of power and not enough grip. I wouldn’t say it was the track," Crutchlow said.

"It is the same grip in Turn 5 to that point so we all know what to expect. It is qualifying and everybody is twisting the gas.

"I wouldn't say the surface was the reason why they crashed. Nobody went off line but I crashed in exactly the same circumstances as Nicky. And how many times have we seen Casey do that and manage to hold it?"

Crutchlow qualified seventh for tomorrow's 28-lap race.