Troy returns?...here's hoping!

[auntymal]

Troy Bayliss Contemplating A Return To World Superbike Racing?
Submitted by David Emmett on Tue, 2010-05-11 22:06.
in DucatiTroy BaylissWorld Superbikes
When Troy Bayliss decided to retire at the end of the 2008 World Superbike season, there were many people who believed that the three-time world champion had made the decision in haste. Although Bayliss was 39, he had just won his third World Superbike title, and was looking as strong as ever. But, he told reporters, it was time to settle down in Australia, and he had promised his wife Kim that his racing days were over.

Or maybe not. Retirement, it seems, is not sitting well with Bayliss, and the Australian legend could well be about to return. A reader emailed rumors of a possible return a couple of weeks ago, but we dismissed those rumors out of hand. How wrong we were, for in interviews with both Superbikeplanet.com and GPOne.com, Bayliss has spoken freely about a return to racing.

Originally, Bayliss had intended to scratch his competitive itch in the Australian V8 Supercars series, but his inability to get a ride in a competitive car has stymied that plan. That left Bayliss with a lot of frustration, as witnessed by his response to Dean Adams whether he had come to terms with retirement: "Not one little bit, not at all." Bayliss also told Superbikeplanet that he felt he had retired too early, still one championship short of British WSBK legend Carl Fogarty, and seven race wins behind the Brit. Despite the strength of the current World Superbike field, those seven wins should at least be within Bayliss' reach, should he decide to return.


If Bayliss does come back, then there is only realistically one team he would end up at. Bayliss is still a Ducati employee - as well as a test rider, due to test the 1198R at Mugello in the next couple of days - and was clear that he felt that Ducati is where he ought to make a return. However, with Bayliss' good friend and mentor Davide Tardozzi having gone to BMW, and the Xerox Ducati team in disarray, there is even a chance that Bayliss could end up wearing a different color altogether.

[craigo]

Could be made of Awesome. Reckon he can win a championship at 40? More here:

http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2010/May/100511-212121.htm

[loony888]

there's no way bayliss will return to anything other than a proven winner, and the bmw is far from that! tardozzi and bayliss may be mates but corser is doing the best anyone could expect in developing the bike with xaus crash testing it for durability, i doubt there would be room there. Now with the xerox team running like a busted mower they're going to want stability, and quickly. Haga is clearly a fantastic rider and there's no way he's forgotten how to ride over the off season, fabrizio runs hot and cold so my prediction? for what it's worth..........02c, is fabrizio moved to a satellite team, ala bostrom some years ago and bayliss to lead the resurgence through development and a huge morale boost into the 2nd half of the season, which may help haga win that elusive first title if he's in the running


paul.

[Mr.S2R]

bayliss to lead the resurgence through development and a huge morale boost into the 2nd half of the season, which may help haga win that elusive first title if he's in the running


paul.

or it could be the big hurry up for Haga - always the bridesmaid never the bride - if Bayliss came back surely that would be big warning signs to Haga that his world championship window is getting even smaller again!  Maybe give Tosserland something to think about also!

[vossy]

As much as I think Troys a fantastic rider, I think it would be highly unlikely that he'd win another championship at 40. But saying that, funnier things have happened.
I'm sure he'll be up there in the top 3 or 4 riders.
If his testing times are up to scratch well why not give it one more try.

[loony888]

even at 40 he would easily be the fittest guy in the paddock, have you sen his training regime??

paul.

[Nickati]

Troy Who 

[craigo]

Troy Who 

I think it says his last name somewhere on ya bike dude 

[Nickati]

Oh that Troy 

[goldFiSh]

Troy Who  

Blasphemy   We're on a Aussie Ducati forum dude, there is only one Troy (OK, there are two, but only one still associated with Ducati)

[Betty]

Blasphemy?

Well I thought it was funny anyway.

[goldFiSh]

Yeah sorry, forgot the smiley at the end! 

[howcoolisjorgelorenzo]

The test comes as the three-time world champion hints he is considering coming out of retirement...
Troy Bayliss has given a strong hint that he would be immediately competitive on a Superbike once again following an 'extremely impressive' two-day test with Ducati, as speculation mounts that he is plotting a sensational return to competition.

Bayliss rode the 2010 specification Xerox Ducati 1198 during a two-day test at Mugello, the first time he has competitively ridden a Superbike since his Portimao 2008 double victory when he officially began his retirement.

While the test had been planned for some months, quashing rumours he was drafted in recently to help the team regain its form following a tough start to the season, Bayliss did use this as an opportunity to show both his and the bike's speed.

Although weather played its part over the two days, the triple world champion's eventual lap time of 1min 51.9secs was deemed 'extremely impressive for a Superbike'. While World Superbikes don't compete at Mugello, Bayliss' time does compare favourably with that of Jorge Lorenzo's MotoGP pole-winning lap in 2009, just three seconds adrift.

“The weather wasn't on our side but we still got a lot of work done. Actually I think riding first in the rain was a good way to work up and get back into it. The track finally came good today and we got about two and a half hours in the dry which was good.

“I really enjoyed myself and hope the feedback I have been giving the guys is useful. Having Ernie [Marinelli] and Alessandra there helped of course, it felt just like the old days.

Joking that he was 'worried' he had forgotten how to ride, Bayliss' test comes amidst recent claims that he is seriously considering a comeback

In an interview Superbike Planet, Bayliss admitted he thinks he chose to retire too soon, adding he is now beginning to miss racing. Furthermore, he said he would only return riding a Ducati, placing pressure on Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio, who have not lived up to pre-season expectations so far this year.

“I was a little worried that I'd have forgotten how to ride after the year and a half break, but it was easy and to be honest it felt like I'd never been away!”

Bayliss was a 52-time winner over 152 races in World Superbikes, while he is also one of a handful of riders to take victories at WSBK and MotoGP level.


my old man sent this to me today all the way from the UK.

I think its gloing to happen.OH YEAHHHHHHHH

[bikeless]

troy hasnt said anything too me yet ,waight till i see him next 

[Spider]

The lovely lass at the ducati factory confirms he was up here last week.

Don't kid Bazz, when I tell people I'm Australian, you wouldn't believe how many have asked if I know Bayliss!

Off for another day in Bolonga folks

ciao

il ragno