Troy Bayliss back in racing action for 2018
Three time champion set to race in ASBK alongside WorldSBK
With the countdown on for the opening round of the 2018 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship, there is plenty of anticipation in the Australian air as three time WorldSBK champion Troy Bayliss prepares to make his return to racing from the 23rd-25th February, in the Australian Superbike Championship.
Hitting the age of 48, Bayliss is coming out of retirement to compete in the 2018 ASBK championship with Ducati. As the season opener is held alongside the WorldSBK opener at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, Bayliss is attracting a lot of attention with his upcoming debut.
Speaking to former rival and fellow Australian Troy Corser, Bayliss explains: “I want to be fast enough to be up the front in 2018 and anything else after that will be a bonus. There could be times when I feel really good on the bike and take a podium, but I want to see the bike up the front – that’s the main thing.”
Adding that he has had to change his diet now he is back in racing, he added: “I’ve dropped down about six kilos and been living like a monk. Beers are gone! Yoga starts as soon as I go home. Got to free up my hips and get a bit looser but I’m doing everything to try and make myself to ride these things.”
“Initially, after 10 years away, everything felt like it was in fast motion,” Bayliss said. “Then I looked at the times and said: ‘Wow, I’ve got a way to go here’. But I started to make progress and felt a lot more at home on the bike.”
Joining Bayliss at the Yamaha Finance Australian Round will be his 14 year old son Oli Bayliss, who is competing once again in the national Supersport 300 series. Making it a full family affair, fans will be in for a full weekend of racing action Down Under.
Re-live some of Bayliss’ classic race wins and prepare for the start of the 2018 season with the WorldSBK VideoPass.
