ANOTHER BAYLISS ON TRACK FOR BIG TIME
THE son of three-time world superbike champion Troy Bayliss will race in the opening round of the 2020 Supersport World Championship after securing a wildcard.
Gold Coast-based Oli Bayliss, 16, was given the international wildcard in what is just his fourth year of road racing.
As well as the world championship action at Phillip Island in Victoria, he’ll also be on domestic duty as the 2020 Australian national season kicks into life.
His dad Troy, a six-time winner at Phillip Island during his illustrious career, will right by his side, as will be mum Kim who has her fingers on the pulse from the pit garage.
Italian Andrea Locatelli (Yamaha) was the fastest World Supersport rider on track during the two days of testing this week, ahead of reigning champion and 2019 Phillip Island winner Randy Krummenacher and Frenchman Jules Cluzel.
Bayliss finished in 20th in practice after focusing on testing tyres on day one where he set personal-best speeds around Phillip Island.
The paddock will reconvene tomorrow for the start of official proceedings ahead of Sunday afternoon’s 18-lap race in the opening round of the 2020 Supersport World Championship.
“(Tuesday) wasn’t such a bad day to be honest,” Bayliss said. “The first session went well for the team and I.
“We again went faster than what we did (on Tuesday), which was positive, as it was the fastest which I have ever been around the Phillip Island grand prix circuit.
“I feel good and I feel like we are improving. The extra track time I’ll get in the Australian Supersport Championship will definitely help me, in terms of track time that’s for sure.
“To finish 20th overall in the combined times, I’m OK with that.
“The positives which we can draw out of the two days is the fact that we have gone the fastest around this track than we have done before on a bike (but it’s) not quite where we want it to be .
“We as a team can see that the bike needs a bit of improving. I really need to go a second quicker and I should be closer to the top ten.