Photo: Ducati
Legendary Ducati rider Troy Bayliss added two more races to his already heavy resume, with the recent World Superbike round in Thailand, at the Chang circuit. After he returned to the track to substitute for injured Aruba Ducati rider Davide Giugliano in the kick-off (and home round) race at Phillip Island in Australia, Ducati has made a smart move and offered Bayliss another ride aboard the same bike.
As we reported earlier, this move was somehow natural, because the Thai circuit was completely new to the entire SBK grid, being the first time ever when a Superbike round took place there. Bayliss huge expertise was a most valuable asset for Ducati and a major advantage over the competition… and it paid off. Bayliss bettered his position in these two races and won valuable points for Ducati.
With Bayliss being the oldest rider in the class, his results in the Thai round look even more spectacular, and it’s really sad to inform you that this was about all we would see from the multiple world champion. WSBK’s official website says that shortly after the Chang race, Troy Bayliss announced his permanent retirement from the sport.
“I’ve had a great time. I didn’t expect to win, it was great to experience it all again but I’ve had my time so I am happy to go home and enjoy my family, and leave it to the young guys,” the told the mentioned source. Ducati has not announced who will be replacing Bayliss in the saddle of the Panigale and substitute for Giugliano in the other two rounds remaining until the Italian rider will make a full recovery.
Giugliano is expected to be back on the Ducati at Imola on 8-10 May, but his team has to find a replacement for the Aragon (12 April) and Assen (19 April) rounds. Ducati’s MotoGP development rider Michele Pirro is said to be the choice for the job, but so far Borgo Panigale has not made any mention.
When a 46-year-old finishes 8th, you’re watching a semi-god in action
Bayliss put his Panigale 7th on the starting grid having pulled through Superpole 2 and finished Race 1 in the 8th position, being the 11th fastest in the second race of the weekend. He was penalized by a drop of one position for overtaking under yellow flag on lap 14, so the final position in the first race is 9th, but his performance is notable, nevertheless. He also outperformed his team mate Chaz Davies, who qualified 6th on the grid. Davies ended Race 1 in the 11th position and was 15th in Race 2.With Bayliss being the oldest rider in the class, his results in the Thai round look even more spectacular, and it’s really sad to inform you that this was about all we would see from the multiple world champion. WSBK’s official website says that shortly after the Chang race, Troy Bayliss announced his permanent retirement from the sport.
“I’ve had a great time. I didn’t expect to win, it was great to experience it all again but I’ve had my time so I am happy to go home and enjoy my family, and leave it to the young guys,” the told the mentioned source. Ducati has not announced who will be replacing Bayliss in the saddle of the Panigale and substitute for Giugliano in the other two rounds remaining until the Italian rider will make a full recovery.
Giugliano is expected to be back on the Ducati at Imola on 8-10 May, but his team has to find a replacement for the Aragon (12 April) and Assen (19 April) rounds. Ducati’s MotoGP development rider Michele Pirro is said to be the choice for the job, but so far Borgo Panigale has not made any mention.
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