Bayliss and Pitt wrap up world titles in style

History has repeated itself for Australia’s two new world motorcycle racing champions – Troy Bayliss and Andrew Pitt.

The duo has wrapped up the 2008 world Superbike and Supersport titles in magnificent fashion at Magny-Cours, France, seven years after they were first crowned in the production-based classes.

After nearly clinching the Superbike title at the last round in Italy, this time Bayliss maintained a cool head in securing third place in race one behind Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) and Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki), with closest challenger Troy Corser (Yamaha) three positions back in sixth.

That was enough to give the 39-year-old factory Ducati rider an unbeatable lead and a third world title in his last year of racing.

"I'm extremely happy to have won my third world championship and to be able to say I have won on three different generations of the Ducati Superbike,” said Bayliss. “I want to thank the entire team who have worked so hard and put a lot of trust in me. Together we have done a great job this season.”

“These last years with Ducati, since 2000, have been a great experience for me. This whole year has been up and done, with several riders remaining consistently fast. From half way through the season we became more confident and so there was a lot of pressure but I've done what I set out to do, I really wanted to win on the three different Ducati Superbikes.

“It's just a fantastic feeling. Now I have secured the title, I'm looking forward to enjoying the last round at the brand new track of Portimao, where I'm hoping I can finish the season on a high!"

With all the pressure off, Bayliss was back to his free-wheeling best in race two as he defeated the in-form Haga by 0.909secs, as well as breaking the lap record Carlos Checa (Honda) had set in race one.

Fittingly, it was Bayliss’ 50th world Superbike win and his ninth in 2008.

In an 11-year international career, Bayliss has won three world Superbike titles (2001, 2006, 2008), a British Superbike championship (1999), and he scored a memorable victory up in the final MotoGP race of 2006 while deputising for Sete Gibernau at Ducati.

Bayliss also raced MotoGP full-time from 2003-2005, with a best championship result of sixth in his rookie year.

Bayliss now has 410pts ahead of his farewell to the sport in Portugal on November 2, while the battle for second will go down to the wire between teammates Haga (325pts) and Corser (316pts). German Max Neukirchner (Suzuki, 298pts) and Carlos Checa (Honda, 284pts) also have to finalise fourth spot.

Meanwhile, the foundation for Pitt’s second world Supersport title was a gritty victory over Suzuki’s Barry Veneman and countryman Josh Brookes (Honda), and he was also assisted by the demise of Honda teammate Jonathan Rea on lap nine.

Rea crashed alongside Australia Broc Parkes (Yamaha) and Robbin Harms (Honda) and, although he remounted to finish 10th, he’s now 30pts behind Pitt with one round to go.
“Well, you can’t say I didn’t win a race with this championship,” said Pitt, referring back to his 2001 title when he didn’t win a race all year. “Rea missed out today and I’m sure it would’ve been a tough battle right to the end.

“I didn’t actually know that he was out until I worked it out by looking at the big TV screen! I needed a bit of luck, having been taken out myself a couple of times this season. But I have never enjoyed a season as much as this – the team is just a fantastic bunch of guys to work for and the way everyone pulled together yesterday to put my bike back together was just typical of the spirit here.

“I’d like to thank (the team owners) Ronald and Gerrit (Ten Kate) for having the faith in me and giving me such a competitive machine. I’m happy to repay that faith today.”

Pitt has now snapped a six-year domination of the world Supersport title by Honda. Ironically, he was the last non-Honda winner in 2001 on a Kawasaki.

Pitt will defend his title in 2009, while Rea will move up to Superbikes, swapping places with 2006 Supersport champion Kenan Sofouglu.

For the other Aussies at Magny-Cours, Russell Holland (Honda) was 21st and Mark Aitchison (Triumph) didn’t start after a crash in the morning’s warm-up session.

Race one: 23 laps

Fastest lap and new record: Checa – 1:39.834 (Previous record: Neukirchner – 1:39.844, 2007)

20 finishers, eight DNFs

Race two: 23 laps

Fastest lap and new record: Bayliss – 1:39.818

23 finishers, 5 DNFs

Current standings (after 13 of 14 rounds):

Final round: Portimao, Portugal, November 2

For the background to Bayliss' career, click here.