Troy Bayliss blamed a mistake in the final sector of his Superpole lap for missing out on pole position in the latest World Superbike Championship round at Misano.
The championship leader was chasing a fourth pole position of the season around the San Marino circuit and was looking in good shape when he went to the top of the timesheets as the penultimate rider to set a time in Superpole.
However, Bayliss was left to rue a small error in the latter part of the lap for giving
Troy Corser the chance to go even better with the final effort of the day and snatch pole position from the Ducati rider's grasp.
Nonetheless, the Aussie was still content with second place on the grid and is now looking forward to an enjoyable tussle with his countryman in the races.
"We've been working well all weekend. In Superpole I knew I was making good time but then I made a small mistake in the last split which cost me the pole I think, but we're happy.
“Corser was really fast today and he has had some good results here in the past, as have I, so tomorrow we should see great racing. We're all going to have to cope with the heat but it's always this way at Misano so overall I'm feeling pretty confident for tomorrow."
Team-mate
Michel Fabrizio, meanwhile, will join Bayliss on the front row after a strong run to fourth place on the sister Xerox Ducati, this despite the Italian suffering from cramp.
"I'm very happy with a front row start. I had a bit of cramp at the end of my Superpole lap which perhaps affected me a little but I'm content with the result.
“Tomorrow will be hard as Troy and I will have to get ahead of a Yamaha and the heat won't help of course, but I hope we can do well and build on our points. The Ducati's are going well here this weekend so let's hope that continues tomorrow."
