Edwards goes fastest ever at Kyalami.

Texan Colin Edwards showed the strongest sign possible that Troy Bayliss might not have it all his own way for tomorrow's races at Kyalami.

The American riding the Honda SP2 set the fastest lap, a 1min 41.321, by a motorcycle on the South African circuit in his pursuit for today's Superpole. Bayliss, on the other hand, has to be content with second place on the grid for tomorrow's races.

The time set by Edwards was over one and a half seconds inside the lap record in his Superpole effort, and also 6 tenths quicker than he had previously been all weekend. Edwards nearly scored the double last year, were it not for an engine failure in the second race, and on today's effort it's easily to see why. Put simply, he loves the place.

However, though the Texan holds the coveted pole position, that does not necessarily mean that he can be seen as favourite for tomorrow's races. At Phillip Island, just two weeks ago, Edwards found himself in the same position only to find himself following the world champion, Troy Bayliss across the chequered flag in both races.

However, at Kyalami, three of the last four World Superbike races have been won by Edwards. And it would have been four from four were it not for a blown engine last year. That said, one man that does have four victories from four starts is Tory Bayliss. Either way, there's certainly going to be some interest up front.

Further down the field and it was Ben Bostrom on the L & M Ducati who lines up in third. Another man who favours the difficult but rewarding circuit and the only person other than Edwards to have won at the circuit in the past two seasons.

Forth place sees Japanese hero Noriyuki Haga putting his time in earlier than the other front end protagonists due to his relatively poor eighth fastest time in the earlier qualifyin session.

Neil Hodgson, last man in the1min 41s made a welcome appearance for the HM Plant Ducati in fifth place with his team-mate, James Toseland five places down on him. Sixth fastest was the preserve of Kawasaki rider Hitoyasu Izutsu.

With Edwards on pole tomorrow it remains to be seen if the Texan can do what he so nearly did last year and win both races. Or can Bayliss continue his winning streak?