A fantastic result for Bayliss and Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) in Superpole today with Bayliss just snatching pole from fellow Australian Corser, breaking the lap record in the process, while team-mate Fabrizio secured third place on the grid. Two front row places on tomorrow's grid for the riders and their new 1098 F08 machine is a very satisfying result for the Ducati Xerox Team. Bayliss' performance was all the more impressive as after high-siding in this morning's qualifying session, a visit to the circuit's clinic resulted in him having eight stitches administered to his left elbow.

Troy Bayliss - Xerox Ducati
It's been an eventful day that's for sure. This morning I high-sided exiting turn 11 and I had to have eight stitches in my elbow but it didn't bother me during this afternoon's practice and Superpole. I'm pretty confident about tomorrow's race and am happy I was able to take pole, though I didn't really expect to. I knew it was going to be very close between Corser and me here today and we both generally end up lapping with similar times at this track. I couldn't try another long-run today as planned due to the crash but Michel was able to do that instead and the team was happy with the results. Tomorrow the first few laps will surely be exciting and then I guess it will come down to tyre performance. It should be a great day of racing.

Michel Fabrizio - Xerox Ducati
I am extremely happy with today's times. Up until this point it's been a great weekend and I just hope it continues that way tomorrow! Today we did a long-run and it seems that we've made some progress with respect to how we went yesterday. It will undoubtedly be a challenging race tomorrow and if I am able to keep up with the two Troys then that would already be a good result as far as I'm concerned.

Troy Corser - Yamaha Italia
Today the bike was working well, but we had a few problems in that last free practice trying to get the bike balanced. Unfortunately we were unable to use the qualifying tyre before Superpole so basically I was doing a fast lap for the first time using the qualifying tyre. We can't complain too much however, because being on the front row is ideal for tomorrow.

Noriyuki Haga - Yamaha Italia
At the end of the untimed afternoon session, I tried a qualifier for one lap and it worked well. I made a 1'32.3. In Superpole it felt like a different tyre. The left side was not working, because when I opened the gas I had a slide and had to take it easy from then on. That's why I am on the second row. It is disappointing because I felt good for Superpole. We still have a problems dealing with the bumps on the asphalt at this track, but it was better today than yesterday. Tomorrow morning we try another solution and then we will be ready to race.

Carlos Checa - Hannspree Ten Kate
I am satisfied with all the work we did. We already have improved since the last race in Qatar. I was a bit worried about the chattering I experienced yesterday, but we made some modifications and seem to have solved the problems. I was a little reluctant to use a qualifying tire during the Superpole and still wasn't convince using it was the best option but my team convinced me and I must admit they were right and it worked well. It looks like we are on the right pace for tomorrow's race and can be competing at the front.

Fonsi Nieto - Alstare Suzuki
As you know Superpole is not really my strong point and I know I lost time in one of the sectors for sure. But fifth is not so bad and if I can get good starts, I'm sure I am going to be in with a chance. Tomorrow is going to be very, very hard and tyre choice and tyre performance is going to be critical. At the moment, we are not sure which tyres to use, so we'll try some adjustments in the morning warm-up and see if that will help our decision.

Max Neukirchner - Alstare Suzuki
I am disappointed with my Superpole lap because I made a couple of mistakes at the start of it and that was that. Although I was good in the final two sectors, my mistakes in sector one was enough to lose quite a bit of time. Tyre choice is very important here and the problem is finding a rear tyre that has good grip and will last as well! So, we'll make a few adjustments in the morning warm-up before deciding what to do.

Superpole Times - Phillip Island

 1. Troy BAYLISS     (Duc 1098F08)    1:31.493
 2. Troy CORSER      (Yam YZF-R1)     1:32.011
 3. Michel FABRIZIO  (Duc 1098F08)    1:32.164
 4. Carlos CHECA     (Hon CBR1000RR)  1:32.373
 5. Fonsi NIETO      (Suz GSX-R1000)  1:32.711
 6. Jakub SMRZ       (Duc 1098RS)     1:32.714
 7. Noriyuki HAGA    (Yam YZF-R1)     1:32.728
 8. Max NEUKIRCHNER  (Suz GSX-R1000)  1:32.808
 9. Russell HOLLAND  (Hon CBR1000RR)  1:32.903
10. Regis LACONI     (Kaw ZX-10R)     1:32.962
11. Ruben XAUS       (Duc 1098RS)     1:32.983
12. Karl MUGGERIDGE  (Hon CBR1000RR)  1:33.028
13. Roberto ROLFO    (Hon CBR1000RR)  1:33.104
14. Gregorio LAVILLA (Hon CBR1000RR)  1:34.060
15. David CHECA      (Yam YZF-R1)     1:34.166
16. Max BIAGGI       (Duc 1098RS)     no time