Bayliss Dominates In Australia

March 2, 2008

Troy Bayliss was in great form for the second round of the World Superbikes Championship this weekend, comfortably winning both races to give himself a commanding position in the Rider’s Championship.

The Ducati Xerox rider, racing on his home circuit for the last time in his career, dominated in the first race leading from start to finish, leading by over 4 seconds when he crossed the finish line. This left fellow Aussie Troy Corser and Italian Michel Fabrizio to settle for 2nd and 3rd respectively. Bayliss was at one stage being closed down on by Max Biaggi, but the Italian crashed out on the 16th lap. Biaggi generally had a weekend to forget, he also spectacularly crashed out in the second race, breaking his wrist. He should be back in time for the next round of the Championship in a month’s time however.

The second race started with Troy Corser leading for the first few laps, but the Australian crashed out of the race on lap 4, leaving Bayliss with a commanding lead. This left an all-Spanish battle for 2nd place developing between Fonsi Nieto, Ruben Xaus and Carlos Checa, with the runner up spot eventually going to Checa. Team Alstare Suzuki’s Nieto clinched the final podium position.

“It’s something you dream of, to have a double win on your last time here” declared an emotional Bayliss. “I knew this weekend was going to be very difficult, everybody’s riding well and there’s a lot of good bikes out there. I have a great team behind me and I’m happy with the result. After the first race I was struggling the last few laps and was worried it was going to be a duel with Max, but he managed to crash and then he did so again in the second race. The times were a little bit slower in race 2 but I felt better on the bike, it was more consistent throughout and a pleasure to ride”.

World Championship Superbikes Round Two - Results

Race 1
1. Bayliss T. (Ducati) 22 laps
2. Corser T. (Yamaha) +4.221
3. Fabrizio M. (Ducati) +4.738
4. Xaus R. (Ducati) +5.171
5. Nieto F. (Suzuki) +5.543
6. Checa C. (Honda) +5.895
7. Neukirchner M. (Suzuki) +5.964
8. Haga N. (Yamaha) +14.826
9. Kiyonari R. (Honda) +18.899
10. Rolfo R. (Honda) +20.633
11. Lavilla G. (Honda) +21.601
12. Muggeridge K. (Honda) +29.281
13. Lanzi L. (Ducati) +29.500
14. Sofuoglu K. (Honda) +30.030
15. Nakatomi S. (Yamaha) +30.223

Race 2
1. Bayliss T. (Ducati) 34′35.284
2. Checa C. (Honda) +1.127
3. Nieto F. (Suzuki) +4.395
4. Xaus R. (Ducati) +6.621
5. Neukirchner M. (Suzuki) +11.550
6. Kiyonari R. (Honda) +11.620
7. Haga N. (Yamaha) +12.049
8. Lavilla G. (Honda) +12.134
9. Holland R. (Honda) +13.462
10. Muggeridge K. (Honda) +15.519
11. Sofuoglu K. (Honda) +16.225
12. Checa D. (Yamaha) +21.959
13. Gimbert S. (Yamaha) +21.989
14. Tamada M. (Kawasaki) +29.106
15. Nakatomi S. (Yamaha) +29.219