Indifferent weather conditions at the German circuit saw officials revert to the 'wet' Superpole format rather than the traditional single flying lap format normally held in the dry. The top sixteen riders are allowed a total of 12-laps during the 50-minute session, with their fastest time dictating their starting grid positions for tomorrow's two 24-lap SWC races.

Even though the session was officially announced as wet, no fewer than seven riders were below Bayliss' current Superbike lap record (1:40.599), with the top five of those riders also under last years pole winning time set by Neil Hodgson.

After being second fastest at the end of the two regulation one-hour qualifying sessions, Bayliss and his Infostrada Ducati 998F-02 emerged on top of the time sheets with a best lap of 1-min 39.395-secs around the 4.265km circuit. He edged out American's Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati, 1:39.552) and Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda, 1:39.569), with British rider Neil Hodgson (HM Plant Ducati) completing the front row of the grid after posting the fourth fastest time with a 1:39.855.

"Even though the officials called it a wet Superpole, conditions turned out to be perfect," Bayliss said. "I was able to get my fast time in on the second stint out during the session and that allowed us a little bit of scope to try a couple of things later in the session. The lap times this season have been incredible. Everywhere we’ve been, we’ve gone a lot quicker than last year and again this weekend I'm over a second under the lap record that I have here. The one thing that doesn't seem to change is that every time you look at the time sheets Colin is always there, a tenth of a second or so away. He does give any time to relax and is always on the case. It's good as it also keeps you focused on what has to be done."

"This track is all about handling," Bayliss added. "It has a lot of second and third gear corners and a few flip flop style chicanes It's quite a physical track where you have to muscle the bike around, but you still have to be very smooth. As for tomorrow, I hope that it clears. Every morning I've woken up here and it's been raining, so it would be nice to have a clear day so that we can get in some fast close racing."

Row two is headed by Bayliss' Spanish teammate Ruben Xaus (1:40.009) followed by veteran Italian Pierfrancesco Chili (NCR Ducati, 1:40.361), Brit James Toseland (HM Plant Ducati, 1:40.545), Japan's Noriyuki Haga (Playstation 2 Aprilia, 1:40.816) and Spain's Gregorio Lavilla (Alstare Suzuki, 1:40.865).

As the defending champion, Bayliss has had a remarkable start to the season, having won nine of the twelve SWC races held so far and leads the championship points chase with a total of 260, 29 clear of former champion Edwards. Sunday's two SWC races are again expected to be highlighted by the battle of Bayliss and Edwards, while others such as Bostrom and Hodgson are certain challenge alongside them for the lead positions.