Don’t call it a comeback, Troy Bayliss has been here along, as the Australian never really hung up his racing leathers.
Partaking over the years in numerous one-off and short-term racing endeavors, the 48-year-old Australian is looking for a little bit more two-wheeled action in his life though, and accordingly has his eyes on a proper championship go.
As such, Bayliss has announced that he will compete in the 2018 Australian Superbike Championship, riding with the DesmoSport Ducati team, which he co-owns with team manager Ben Henry, with an eye on the series’ #1 plate.
“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,” explained Bayliss.
“I definitely feel like I have some unfinished business. 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.”
Despite being a three-time World Superbike champion, as well as a MotoGP race winner, Bayliss has never won his home championship series. He hopes the 2018 season will change that fact, as he rides a race-prepped Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition superbike.
“I’m looking forward to creating the environment around Troy that I believe will help secure us another Australian Superbike Championship in 2018,” said Team Manager Ben Henry. “We are a few years into the DesmoSport Ducati project now and have learnt so much during 2016 and 2017.”
“I’m confident that the staff we have at Cube Performance Centre on the Gold Coast have made a big impact in terms of development with the experience we have there and I honestly believe we are in the position now to create a platform that’s going to be hard to beat next season.”
The addition of Bayliss to the Australian Superbike should do well to elevate the profile of the domestic series, with international fans likely tuning in to see how the beloved racer is progressing through the season with his results.
If that sounds like you, then you should know that the Australian Superbike Championship season kicks off on February 23rd at Phillip Island, fittingly alongside the season-opener for the World Superbike Championship.
Source: DesmoSport Ducati
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