Bayliss all set for third title

Most motorcycle racers only have one chance to wrap up a world championship, but Aussie great Troy Bayliss has three opportunities to put his name on the 2008 world Superbike title, starting at Vallelunga in Italy this Sunday.

After a brilliant season aboard the all-new factory Ducati, Bayliss has built a massive 101pt cushion over compatriot and fellow dual world Superbike champion, Troy Corser (Yamaha).

An innumerable number of circumstances will see Bayliss become world champion, the simplest being victory in both races, which he has already done three times this year, including a memorable clean sweep at Phillip Island.

Another possibility is that he doesn't lose a certain amount of points to his main adversaries: Corser, Max Neukirchner (Suzuki), Carlos Checa (Honda) or Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha).

If this happens, Bayliss will also leave Vallelunga with an unassailable lead, and with only the great Mick Doohan as the holder of more road racing world championships for Australia. Doohan on five 500 GP titles in a row between 1994-1998.

"My first and second titles were of course very special, but if I can do it again and make it three, with the third coming in my last year of racing Superbike with Ducati, then I'll be a very happy man," said Bayliss. "Also, to win it in Italy, home to Ducati, in front of the Italian fans, would be fantastic!

"It's never a good idea to be over confident, but  I guess the points advantage that we have right now helps and takes a little of the pressure off. I know I had a good weekend there last time around, but that doesn't necessarily mean I'll be able to do the same again!"

Nerves aren't really a problem for Bayliss, but one issue that's consuming his thoughts is impending retirement after 11 years of racing overseas, including nine in world championship combat - six in world Superbike and three in MotoGP.

"It is very strange to think that I only have three races left before I conclude my Superbike career," continued Bayliss. "I'm trying not to think about the fact that I could sew things up at Vallelunga, I'll just be going out there and giving it my all as I have done every weekend until now and see what happens!

"Everything went well here last year so I'm hoping to have a similarly successful weekend again this year."

Even if Bayliss doesn't clinch the title at Vallelunga, he will still have two 'set' points up his sleeve at Magny Cours (France) on October 5 and Portimao (Portugal) on November 2.

But Bayliss doesn't want to put the championship on ice for that long, and he proved last year that he's lightning fast around Vallelunga when he shared victories with hometown hero Max Biaggi.

The Italian's form has been patchy his year, and it'll probably be Biaggi's Ducati teammate Ruben Xaus who gives Bayliss a harder time around the 4.110 km circuit, which only joined the championship last year.

Xaus set the fastest time in a two-day official test session at Vallelunga in July, with Bayliss third, ahead of Michel Fabrizio (Ducati), Corser, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda), Checa and Haga.

Since then, Kiyonari has been the big improver, winning three of the last four races, while Corser continues to churn out regular podium finishers while chasing that elusive first victory on a Yamaha.

Corser is confident of a good showing at Vallelunga.

"When we tested there, we spent most of our time mostly evaluating our electronics package and some development tyres," said Corser. "The track's layout is pretty good. I don't think they have changed it from last year, when we had a fair result. The weather may be changeable for us this weekend, but our bike is working well in wet or dry conditions.

"In terms of set-up, we will probably start the weekend from where we ended testing, before we try anything different. My body is okay after my Donington falls, and the physiotherapy I have had has worked well, so I'm ready to race."

As for his championship aspirations, Corser is still clinging to faint hope.

"It's still mathematically possible to get to the top, this weekend is where we'll see where we are for rest of the season," said Corser. "I just want to focus on winning races and see where we end up."

Corser will again use Öhlins' variable electronic suspension technology at Vallelunga, which he first tried at the test in July, and again in the last round at Donington.

In world Supersport, three Australians still remain in the championship hunt, with two of them leading the charge - Andrew Pitt and Josh Brookes. Brit Jonathan Rea makes it a Honda trifecta in third.

Brookes broke through for his first European-based victory at Donington, but it's Pitt who holds a commanding 32pt lead with just three rounds to go - a maximum of 75pts.

Newcastle's Broc Parkes (Yamaha) is fourth in the championship, and was very quick in the July test session a Vallelunga. He was also fourth in last year's race.