Ben Spies was pleased to get back to 'Superpole winning ways' after capitalising on a late rain shower to snatch pole position for the ninth round of the season at Donington Park.

The American resumed his place at the head of the Superpole timesheets for his eighth pole position of the season, Spies timing his best lap to perfection as the rain began to intensify, thus preventing his rivals from challenging.

However, Spies played down the factor the weather had on his performance, pointing out that he was one of the last riders to get his quick lap on the board.

“It's not arrogance, but we were one of the last people to get out on track, so I think I got a bit more rain than everyone else,” he told Crash.net Radio. “The times should have been better, but everyone got their time in before we did.

“We need to find some more stuff with the bike, but the weekend is going smoothly so far, so I am confident we will have a good couple of races.”

Indeed, Spies is feeling confident about his race chances as he looks to overcome a frustrating run of form, one that has prevented him from making bigger in-roads into Noriyuki Haga's title advantage.

“I am as confident as anybody,” he added. “It is going to be a bit of a compromise in the race, but we have a good set-up and speed to be up front. You never know what the weather will do, but I am looking forward to it.”

With Haga starting sixth position, Spies was pleased to see several riders between them, although he is sure the Japanese rider, along with Ducati Xerox team-mate Michel Fabrizio, will continue to be a reckoned force during the races.

“Nori is always going to be there, that's just how it is. It could work out for me having more people in between, but I wished it was happening earlier in the year! It's great there are more people applying the pressure now. We can't just be focused on Nori either, but Michel too because he has been right there and it isn't a fluke – he is a force to be reckoned with.”