Bayliss is 26 points behind leader James Toseland in the standings

The Australian Ducati Xerox rider took pole with a fastest lap of one minute, 30.370 seconds.

Japan's Nori Haga had a fine Superpole to grab second while Frenchman Regis Laconi was third.

Britain's James Toseland, who leads the overall standings by 16 points, managed to take fourth on his Ten Kate Honda.

Bayliss had a slow start to his Superpole lap but came on strong towards the end to take pole position.

"I didn't do the first section very well," he said. "I'm lucky because I'm strong on the last section of the track, that could come in handy."

Italian Max Biaggi, second in the overall standings, was only seventh quickest on his Alstare Suzuki Corona.

Former champion Troy Corser had been second behind fellow Australian Bayliss heading into Superpole but crashed at Redgate and could only finish eighth quickest.

British riders Aaron Zanotti and Dean Ellison did not qualify for Superpole but will start the two races on Sunday.

Zanotti was 19th fastest on the SMT Yamaha and Ellison 21st on the Pedercini Ducati.

Leading qualifying results from Donington Park:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati 1min 30.370 secs
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jpn) Yamaha 1:31.084
3. Regis Laconi (Fra) Kawasaki 1:31.377
4. James Toseland (GB) Honda 1:31.399
5. Lorenzo Lanzi (It) Ducati 1:31.504
6. Ruben Xaus (Sp) Ducati 1:31.686
7. Max Biaggi (It) Suzuki 1:31.689
8. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha 1:31.132
9. Karl Muggeridge (Aus) Honda 1:32.077
10. Fonsi Nieto (Sp) Kawasaki 1:32.178