Xerox Ducati’s Troy Bayliss has taken pole in torrential conditions at the Portimao World Superbike round with Britain’s Cal Crutchlow in second and Jonathan Rea in third.

After a dry final free practice, the heavens opened just before Superpole and canny Aussie Bayliss was third rider out, setting a 1’58.548 lap before the rain then got even worse, giving no-one else a chance of a quick lap.

HM Plant Honda’s Crutchlow was a full two-and-a-half seconds slower than Bayliss, with Rea another second slower again. Sterilgarda’s Max Biaggi was fourth fastest, rounding out the front row, some three-and-a-half seconds slower than Bayliss.

Bayliss’ team-mate Michel Fabrizio heads the second row with Leon Haslam, Troy Corser and Ruben Xaus comprising row two. Xausm, who was first out on track this afternoon, had a spectacular crash after 15 minutes, sliding for 20 yards before being spat over the high-side.

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