Bayliss, 48, raring to go
RETURNING racer Troy Bayliss says he has been living like a monk to get himself back in shape for his return to the track after 10 years.
The 48-year-old Gold Coaster qualified third for today’s opening race at Phillip Island in the Australian Superbike series, the main support category for the World Superbikes’ opening round.
Bayliss was fastest in the opening practice on Thursday but was behind defending ASBK champion Josh Waters and Wayne Maxwell at the Victorian track yesterday.
The veteran’s return to the front row comes as Italian Aprilia rider Lorenzo Savadori was the surprise fastest rider in the opening practice sessions of the World Superbikes.
Savadori, 11th in last year’s championship, clocked 1 min 30.407 sec, ahead of Brit Leon Camier on a Honda and twotime Phillip Island winner Eugene Laverty in third position, also on an Aprilia. Defending champion and island specialist Jonathan Rea was fifth fastest just behind Kawasaki Racing Team partner Tom Sykes.
Gold Coast wildcard Troy Herfoss was the best of the Aussies in the world championship division, finishing 19th, 2.3 seconds behind Savadori.
In the Australian support series, Bayliss knows it’s a long way back to be competitive on the 1299 Ducati Panigale, starting with getting his body in shape.
“I’m certainly not the man I used to be but I’m going to give it a nudge and hopefully I can run up the front with these guys,” he said.
“Everyone here wants to win and I didn’t come here to ride around so we’ll see what happens.’’
Bayliss has shed 6kg to be race-fit and has abstained from beer but admitted his attempts at yoga to limber up ageing joints had failed.
“I need to free up my hips to get a bit looser.
“I’m doing everything I can to try and get make myself in as good a shape to ride these things.’’
Bayliss won three World Superbike titles in 2001, 2006 and 2008, but is seeking to secure the Australian crown that has so far eluded him.
He last competed in the Australian SBK series in 1997 when he finished second.
Bayliss’s teenage son Oli is competing in the Supersport 300 class against, among others, Seth Crump, the son of three-time world speedway champion Jason.