Troy Bayliss has taken pole position for the latest round of the World Superbike Championship at
Donington Park after
Troy Corser ruined his chances with a fall at the final corner of his final lap.
A very eventful session for all concerned as the wet weather continued to make the Donington Park circuit treacherously greasy, a number of the riders experienced falls as they battled over pole position.
With the session split as most ventured onto the circuit in the early stages to counter any further rainfall, the steadily improving conditions ensured that most of the best times were actually set in the final minutes.
Up to that point it was Tom Sykes that led the way, the Rizla Suzuki rider keeping it neat and tidy to hold onto the top spot for a good 20mins before being eventually usurped by
Carlos Checa, the Spaniard topping the timesheets for the first time this weekend.
His reign at the top wouldn't last long though as practice pace setter Bayliss would sneak back ahead with just over ten minutes remaining. Lowering his best lap once again just a few minutes later, Bayliss was able to resist the late advances of Kiyonari, who was probably the most spectacular rider on the circuit.
Snaking his Ten Kate Honda through the bends, Kiyonari was a joy to watch but it wasn't quick enough to deny Bayliss his sixth pole position.
Although he briefly enjoyed a run onto the wet grass, Bayliss' cause was still helped by problems for others, with provisional pole sitter Cal Crutchlow first to go when he fell off the circuit with 25mins left to run, while Corser was also off down when he slid from his Yamaha at the Craner Curves.
Compounding British woes, Sykes suffered a nasty looking shunt at Coppice as he looked to respond. One of several riders to get out of shape around the tricky right-hander, Sykes was, however, the only one to tumble off.
