Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
Troy Bayliss (Ducati Xerox) powered to his sixth Superpole of the year in the Bennetts European Round at Donington Park in a wet 50-minute, 12-lap session. For the Australian rider, who as a result wins the Alfa Romeo Superpole Award, it was his third Superpole in a row and the 24th in his career. Bayliss looked particularly quick in the final part of the 4.02 km circuit, and is certainly one of the candidates for the wins in tomorrow's eleventh round of the championship.
The only rider capable of matching Bayliss's performance was Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB), but he crashed at the final hairpin on his quick lap right at the end and had to settle for eighth quickest time. Alongside Bayliss on the front row are the Hannspree Ten Kate Honda pairing of Brands Hatch winner Ryuichi Kiyonari and Carlos Checa.
Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati) made a major improvement today to take the final front row grid slot, while wild-card James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) took the first place on row 2 ahead of Max Biaggi (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati). The British wild-cards who had made all the running in the first two days were out of luck; Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) crashed into the gravel, as did Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda).
Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB) could only manage a place on the third row, while Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki), who has failed to shine so far this weekend, is one row behind.
