Bayliss blasts to Silverstone pole.

Troy Bayliss has secured pole position on his Xerox Ducati for round seven of the Corona Extra World Superbike Championship at Silverstone.

"We've had a difficult couple of days here at Silverstone. It is really bumpy and there isn't much grip so we've been trying to adjust the bike to compromise on that," said Bayliss, "We went out of the circle on set up and lost our way a bit, which left me not so confident. We've been round in circles and come back in where we started and now that rain is forecast all our work is spoiled!"

Bayliss isn't too concerned if it rains as is the forecast for race day, "I've been here lots and it is quite likely to rain. I remember one race here a few years ago where I crashed twice so my plan is to keep both wheels down and get a good result," he grinned.

Like all the riders he was finding the track bumpy as he said, "There is a lack of grip here and with the bumps and the rain I'm really glad that we are not on the long track as it is really easy to aqua plane."

It initially didn't look like Bayliss would secure pole as he was down on time in the first two sectors but pulled it back in the last one through the technical complex to lap in 1min 24.558secs, "I made my time up in the last sector as I do feel we are working quite well through there. I know I'm down on the first split but I'll get my elbows in and hopefully get a draught from someone!" he concluded.

Lining up next to him is Noriyuki Haga on the Yamaha Italia bike who was just beaten to the coveted pole position by 0.019secs. "I try to get better suspension setting but couldn't find it. Then I try a big change and it work good. I have a tyre problem if it stays warm tomorrow. I can just use one tyre which is hard and it start jumping so I hope for rain," said Haga.

Hannspree Ten Kate Honda's James Toseland will start from the front row of the grid in third place. "It seems bumper here than ever, and you never know with the track temperature how the tyre is going to work. I've got a good set up for the bumps and I know I can ride it aggressively. We've also got a decent wet set up so if it rains we will be ok. I'm glad that Nori and Troy are on the front row. I think the three of us will battle for the championship and should put on a good show tomorrow. My plan is to stay up right tomorrow," added Toseland.

The last place on the front row of the grid went to the second Ducati in the hands of Lorenzo Lanzi. He tested recently in Misano and was quick to compare track conditions saying, "In Misano it was very bumpy so this track is not so bad. Today was very important for me and front row is good. Tomorrow may be difficult as it will rain. We haven't had time in the rain so I hope it won't happen."

Troy Corser who seemed to be coming on strong this weekend heads the second row of the grid and is still poised to take his 40th Superpole which has been eluding him. Ruben Xaus on the Sterilgarda Ducati was in sixth place with the Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki team of Yukio Kagayama and Max Biaggi running in seventh and eighth. Biaggi had a big moment on the run into the hairpin when he had the bike weaving around under heavy breaking.

The Alto Evolution team rounded out the top ten with Karl Muggeridge in ninth and Josh Brookes in tenth. Max Neukirchner had an eventful Superpole when he lost the front end of the Suzuki Germany machine at Copse corner. It looked like the bumps on the run into the corner upset the bike and the front washed out. He was ok and walked away in disgust from his stricken bike.

WSBK superpole results - Silverstone:

1. Troy Bayliss
2. Noriyuki Haga
3. James Toseland
4. Lorenzo Lanzi
5. Troy Corser
6. Ruben Xaus
7. Yukio Kagayama
8. Max Biaggi
9. Karl Muggeridge
10. Josh Brookes