The inevitable return?

[Speeddog]

Have it on good authority that Bayliss ran a 1:51.9 at Mugello on the SBK on a recently dried track.

How does that compare with other folks there?

[derby]

Have it on good authority that Bayliss ran a 1:51.9 at Mugello on the SBK on a recently dried track.

How does that compare with other folks there?

looks like fabi's best time was a 1'52.6... that's the only other time i found (though i haven't looked too hard).

haga did a 1'52.3 and fabi did a 1'53.5 at a test there last september. just for kicks, ducati test riders did 1'51.7 and 1'51.9 on gp9s during the same test.

[gm2]

no news whatsoever: http://superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100512q.htm

[Spidey]

Nick's right about that 1:51.9.  Sounds like Troy still has it, but it's not an apples to apples comparison:  http://www.crash.net/world+superbikes/news/159668/1/bayliss_fast_in_test_comeback_imminent.html

Gawd, this puts Ducati in a great negotiating position with Haga and douchebrizio.

[fastwin]

I am a HUGE Bayliss fan, first things first!!! But I say his wife kicks his ass if he gets his way! The whole point was to spend time with Mom and the kiddos and not drag their ass all over the planet! What, three WSBK titles aren't enough? One is the tits! But three on three different Duc SBKs?? Shit that's a dream come true!! But if the wifey lets him do it I say bring it on!!! I love it... as long as she does. There's a six foot tall trophy with Wife of the Decade on it for her if she goes along!

[Jester]

I am a HUGE Bayliss fan, first things first!!! But I say his wife kicks his ass if he gets his way! The whole point was to spend time with Mom and the kiddos and not drag their ass all over the planet! What, three WSBK titles aren't enough? One is the tits! But three on three different Duc SBKs?? Shit that's a dream come true!! But if the wifey lets him do it I say bring it on!!! I love it... as long as she does. There's a six foot tall trophy with Wife of the Decade on it for her if she goes along!

I'm of the belief that if you love someone, you let them follow their passions and dreams.  She knew about it all going in... its not as if she wasn't prepared up front for what being married to a man like that entails.  Forcing him to stay at home and be miserable would kill the relationship anyhow.  She has to let him go.

[BastrdHK]

^^^ Absolutely True!

What are the odds he goes to GP? For the return of the big bikes?

And why is Suomy allowing Bayliss to wear Xlite/Shoei helmets?

[derby]

well, that is partially true....when Ducati took on the 1200cc 2 cylinder rule in 2006, that was with the caviat that they have weight and throttle body and tuning limitations....I think ( someone-DERBY/GM2-correct me if I am wrong or give the exact verbage) those limitations expire or are reconsidered when there isn't a Ducati in the top 5 for at least 3 consecutive races....so the restricted 50mm throttle bodies being opened up along with other tuning restrictions lifted could open up a can of renewal for the bike since the 4-bangers have awakened with catch-up.

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100516c.htm

[zooom]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100516c.htm

thank you derby!...I somehow knew it was going to come...

[zooom]

And why is Suomy allowing Bayliss to wear Xlite/Shoei helmets?

maybe when his contract ended to "RACE", so did his sponsorship with Suomy and he went with whomever was willing to give him a free helmet....hell...he was wearing his old race leathers from 2008 and usually when you see guys test ride, they are wearing something very plain jane off the rack...

[duccarlos]

thank you derby!...I somehow knew it was going to come...

Any weight reduction will help, but would this be enough to gain an advantage?

[Speeddog]

Reduction in the minimum weight will only help if the bike is at the minimum right now.

Saw it here that none of the WSBK bikes are at the minimum:
http://www.motomatters.com/news/2010/05/16/ducatis_to_get_3kg_weight_reduction.html

[zenjim]

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100516c.htm

I don't think the weight reduction will help Haga. I don't know what happened to him, really f'd up my Fantasy Race picks.

As for Troy, who wouldn't love to see him race again? I just hate when great athletes have a great career and a perfect retirement, then come back and are shadows of their former selves. Plus, he's healthy! I always think of the race at Miller 2 yrs ago (Checa doubled) where I watched as he crashed and then was dancing between bikes trying to run off the track. That gets hard to do when you get old dude...

[zooom]

....where I watched as he crashed and then was dancing between bikes trying to run off the track....

insert video link from youtube of "disco motor bike man"....(I'd do it except I can't get there from work)

[duccarlos]

disco motor bike man