Bayliss on pole for the 26th time

Ducati's Troy Bayliss has captured his eighth pole position of the season in his farewell world Superbike meeting at Portugal's Algarve circuit.

It was also the 26th pole in the 2008 world champion's career, in a session which was held on a wet track after a violent downpour lashed the circuit just before the start.

Only a few riders, Bayliss one of them, were quick to take advantage of the reasonable early conditions, and this made all the difference.

Lining up alongside the Australian champion on the front row of the grid will be two surprises - Honda duo Cal Crutchlow and Jonathan Rea, the latter on his WSBK debut.

The front row is completed by Max Biaggi (Ducati), who was also able to capitalise on the early conditions. Friday's front-runner Michel Fabrizio (Ducati) starts from the second row, with Leon Haslam (Honda) and Aussie Troy Corser (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB) alongside, while on row three will be Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) and Carlos Checa (Honda).

"The whole weekend has been a little strange because the weather's been up and down and the track has been dirty and clean and slowly coming better," said Bayliss. "It was a strange session this afternoon. I got out very early and although the track was very wet in the first split it wasn't too bad.

"I got a few good laps in early and was happy with the wet setting. It is my last Superpole and I'm very happy with that result!"

In Supersport, Broc Parkes (Yamaha) and world champion Andrew Pitt (Honda) are shaping up as the leading Aussies after qualifying, while Josh Brookes (Honda), who can finish second in the title with a strong result, is seventh on the grid.

Australians are also one-two on the grid in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup, courtesy of Brendan Roberts (Ducati) and Chris Seaton (Suzuki).