Troy Bayliss coming out of retirement!
Back on the local scene for the first time since 1997The racing embers still burn brightly for three-time superbike world champion Troy Bayliss, with the 48-year-old sensationally announcing he will come out of retirement to contest the 2018 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) on a Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition.
Bayliss will ride for the factory supported Ducati team, DesmoSport, he co-owns with former Australian superbike racer Ben Henry.
The seven-round championship begins from February 22-25 at a circuit where he once dominated in the WorldSBK ranks – Phillip Island.
Bayliss said the urge to return to the local ranks had been burning for a while, initially presenting itself when an opportunity arose to replace the injured Callum Spriggs in the DesmoSport ranks during the middle part of 2017.
“It was a situation we first considered when Callum was injured,” Bayliss explained. “Obviously, it was a big call and it didn’t quite feel right at the time.
“Since then, I have tested the bike and completed a lot of miles both in practice and racing the 300 (Production) class.
“Initially, I did want to see another young guy on the bike but after I rode it, I felt that I needed to contest the championship and try and win myself the elusive Australian superbike title.
Bayliss previously contested the ASBK in 1996 and 1997, finishing third and second over the two years.
“I definitely feel like I have some unfinished business,” Bayliss said. “I have a bit of work to do in terms of fitness but after testing the bike and running it at the Adelaide Motorsport Festival I feel I am definitely up to the task.”
Bayliss was British superbike champion in 1999 and, after a brief period in America, he joined the WorldSBK scene and won the championship in 2001, 2006 and 2008. He also rode MotoGP from 2003-2005, the first two years with Ducati and the final year on a Honda.
In 2006, fresh from winning the WorldSBK title after returning to Ducati, Bayliss won the season-ending Valencia MotoGP race competing as a wildcard.
Bayliss retired at the end of 2008, but made a brief comeback to the WorldSBK ranks in 2015 as a replacement for injured Ducati factory rider Davide Giugliano at Phillip Island and in Thailand.
Bayliss’ teenage son, Oli, will also be in the ASBK paddock in 2018 as he continues his nascent road racing career in the 300 Production class.
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