Troy Bayliss topped the final free practice session ahead of Superpole after snatching the fastest lap with his very last effort at Donington Park.

Once again, the weather garnered most of the headlines as the drying circuit was deluged in a shower mid-way through, although this has now eased off to drizzle for 'Superpole'.

Nonetheless, the riders continued to make good gains, particularly towards the end of the session, with Bayliss' 1min 43.337secs undercutting this weekend's perennial frontrunner Ryuichi Kiyonari by four hundredths.

Provisional pole sitter Cal Crutchlow was third quickest, ahead of Troy Corser, who had led the way in the early stages. Michel Fabrizio popped up into the top five for the first time this weekend in fifth, ahead of Leon Haslam and Tom Sykes.

Just behind, Carlos Checa, Max Biaggi and Jakub Smrz rounded out the top ten positions.

Meanwhile, Superpole has been declared wet, which means it will be a free 50-minute session, albeit with just a maximum of 12 laps each for the 16 riders participating.