Bayliss' perfect send off

Troy Bayliss will draw the curtains on his decorated world Superbike career in Portugal this Sunday, and the 39-year-old will be able to enjoy every moment of it.

The Australian clinched his third world title in France on October 5, setting up a perfectly scripted farewell at the all-new Algarve circuit in Portimao, which will be hosting an international event for the first time.

"I am a lot more relaxed now that I know that we have done what we set out to do," said Bayliss. "Now I can go to Portimao knowing that a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

"It's been a long and stressful year and I'm tired, and I feel I have just enough energy left to complete these last two races.

"I would love to finish the season, and my career, with a win so that's my goal this weekend, to ride with no pressure and just enjoy what will be my final two Superbike races!"

Bayliss tested at Portimao last week, and he's impressed with the venue.

"It's really an incredible place," he said. "I'm amazed at how much work they've done in so little time. Of course there is still work to be done, a lot of the facilities aren't yet ready, but the track itself is finished and it is beautiful.

"It has a bit of everything and, although there isn't a real chicane, it has fast corners, slow corners, a lot of undulation and a lot of character. It's so new that it's still slippery and quite dirty, but the surface will only get better and better over time."

The normally unflappable Bayliss is feeling "a bit strange" on the eve of his retirement from motorcycle racing, which has included six years as a world Superbike rider.

"Of course I'm very happy to have achieved what we set out to do in 2008, but this last race has come around so quickly and I can't quite believe we are here," said Bayliss. "I'm certainly going to miss the racing and the people in world Superbike. I'm going to miss the team; all the guys I've worked with over the years who've contributed to the success that I've had. Racing is in my blood; it's all I ever wanted to do and I will miss it a lot.

"I'm certainly still going to take a keen interest in proceedings next year, and I will be watching every race from my new home in Australia. I'll definitely try to come along to a couple of the races too, as part of my continuing relationship with Ducati.

"It should be a really interesting season, also with BMW and Aprilia joining the championship, so I'm going to be following all the action."

Bayliss has endorsed Noriyuki Haga as his replacement in the factory Ducati squad for 2009, but before that there's still some business to attend to.

The Taree (NSW) native, who's relocating to the Gold Coast in 2009, would love nothing more than to bookend his career with a double victory, although Haga (Yamaha) is probably the slight favourite after three wins in the last four races.

Haga and his teammate Troy Corser are still battling over second place in the title, with German Max Neukirchner (Suzuki) also in with a slim chance of collecting the silver medal - although he could still lose fourth place to a fast-finishing Carlos Checa (Honda) if he loses the plot.

With no previous form to rely on, Portimao could throw up some real surprises, such as Brit hotshot Jonathan Rea, who is make his world Superbike debut on a Honda.

With the world Supersport title now out of his reach - Australian teammate Andrew Pitt was crowned in France - Rea is making an early ascension to the bigger class in preparation for a full campaign in 2009.

Rea will compete alongside Checa and Ryuichi Kiyonari at Portimao, who have both won races in 2008.

Kiyonari is returning to action after a broken collarbone, while Italian colossus Max Biaggi (Ducati) could also push for a win after showing some improved form in the last few rounds.

In world Supersport, the void left by Rea has opened for the door for Sydney's Josh Brookes (Honda) to finish second in the title.

Brookes, who's heading to the British Superbike Championship next year, is only 7pts behind Rea, and an eighth or better will see him overtake the Brit. Newcastle's Broc Parkes (Yamaha) is destined to finish fourth overall.

After a big crash earlier in the year which crushed vertebra and broke four ribs, Garry McCoy will return to action on a Triumph at Portimao alongside countryman Mark Aitchison.

Russell Holland will also compete on a Honda.

The final round will be televised live on Fox Sports 3 at 9:45pm Sunday.