Bayliss Returns

murf

murf

GSX400S Rider
BAYLISS TO MAKE SHOCK PHILLIP ISLAND WSBK RETURN
Wednesday 18th February, 2015 8:15pmAuthor: SpeedCafe ©
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Troy Bayliss
Troy Bayliss
Australian motorcycling legend Troy Bayliss will make a shock return to the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island this weekend.
The 45-year-old former three-time world champion will substitute for Davide Giugliano at the Aruba.it Ducati Superbike Team following the Italian’s testing crash on Monday.
Bayliss, who retired from the sport in 2008, last competed at Phillip Island in his retirement year, where he won both World Superbike Championship races.
“I want to start by saying that I really feel for Davide and that it’s a real shame for his season to be starting in this way,” said Bayliss, who has remained closely linked with Ducati as an ambassador for the manufacturer.
“The desire to be able to return to the track and see the home crowd and the Ducatisti has always been strong, ever since I last raced.
“Also Phillip Island, one of my favourite tracks, is celebrating its 25th anniversary of World Superbikes. This gave me the idea to compete as a wildcard and work with the Ducati Superbike technicians once again.
Troy Bayliss on his way to victory at Phillip Island in 2008
Troy Bayliss on his way to victory at Phillip Island in 2008
“I know it’s going to be a very difficult weekend, also because it’s a while since I’ve ridden the Superbike but I do know the track well and so hope to get back into it after a few laps.
“I’ll try to enjoy myself and will of course be doing my best to score a good result and put on a good show for the public.”
The team has meanwhile given an update on Giugliano’s condition.
‘Davide Giugliano left the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne yesterday evening (Tuesday in Australia),” read a statement.
“Unfortunately the final prognosis for the Italian rider, who has two micro-fractures of the L1 and L2 vertebrae, is that he won’t be able to return to racing his Panigale R for a period of 90 days.
“Davide will fly home to Italy as soon as possible, where he will undergo further checks and begin rehabilitation in order to return to full fitness as soon as possible.’ Cheers Murf.
 
Alex Lowes has maintained his edge by acing practice going into the opening round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island.
Following his fast form in testing earlier in the week, Lowes managed a 1:30.855s lap in the first of the twin sessions which stood for the duration of the day.
The VOLTCOM Crescent Suzuki rider outdid Jordi Torres who clocked 1:31.214s on his Aprilia RSV4-RF while Tom Sykes was third fastest on a Kawasaki ZX-10R.
Triple World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss saw his surprise return yield the 18th fastest time.
Bayliss was called up at the last minute to ride the Ducati Panigale R to replace the injured Davide Guigliano who crashed at the Victorian circuit last Monday.
The Gold Coast 45-year-old spent time sorting through the best set-up for the Ducati.
Leon Haslam (Aprilia RSV4-R4) was one of few riders to have bettered their time in the opening run, his mark of 1:31.466 maintaining his place as fourth in the order.
Jonathon Rea (Kawasaki) was fifth in 1:31.541 ahead of Nicolas Terol (Ducati).
Michael van der Mark (Honda) vaulted from 12th in the opening practice session to end up seventh after putting in a 1:31.693s lap during the final segment.
Australia’s wildcard entries Matt Walters and Jed Metcher, both riding Kawasakis, were 16th and 19th respectively.
 
murf said:
Australia’s wildcard entries Matt Walters and Jed Metcher, both riding Kawasakis, were 16th and 19th respectively.
Click to expand...

Maybe Jed should get on his Katana... He was very quick at the Island a few weeks back...



This is great news about Bayliss BTW... I'm heading home from Asia tonight just in time. :cool:

Phil

 
Troy Bayliss says he is throughly enjoying his return to the World Superbike Championship despite an eventful day at Phillip Island.
The former three-time world champion stunned the motorcycle racing fraternity this week with news of his World Superbike Championship return as a replacement for injured Aruba.it Racing Ducati rider Davide Giugliano.
However, the 45-year-old, who retired from the sport in 2008, has quickly adapted to the modern machinery with the Australian qualifying 13th out of 24 runners for Sunday’s two races, helped by Leandro Mercado’s late disqualification.
Bayliss has logged less than 50 laps at the circuit shaving two seconds from his best time set in Friday practice.
The qualifying result came despite a nasty crash during the fourth free practice session at the 4.4km Victorian circuit, which has played host to six world superbike race wins for Bayliss.
Although more than a second adrift of the front runners, Bayliss, who won world titles in 2001, 2006 and 2008, admits he is enjoying his unexpected return to the World Superbike Championship.
“I’m having a great time out there,” said Bayliss,
“I am happy where I am at. I haven’t used a qualifying tyre in a while, and I’m sure if I had put in another one (lap) I would have gone faster again.
“It would have been nice to make Superpole 2, but that’s the way it goes. We will now try a few more set-up things in the morning, and I hope to improve things again.
“I didn’t expect to win against these seasoned riders, but I am having a lot of fun trying.”
Meanwhile, soaring temperatures expected to hit the circuit on Sunday is likely to make tyre conservation a key factor in the two races, according to polesitter Jonathan Rea.
Although concerned by the conditions, the factory Kawasaki rider from Northern Ireland remains confident he can convert his pole into victory.
“Honestly for me, the heat is not so bad,” said Rea.
“My riding style is quite economical. The problem with the heat is the race is going to be about managing tyres, not really about being the fastest guy.
“But my new Kawasaki team is amazing. I’ve got good tools in the tool box now so I can go about achieving my goals.
“No-one owes you anything, but I’m confident that I might be able to push for a win tomorrow.”
The first race of the 2015 World Superbike Championship is due to begin at midday local time.
 
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