Bayliss hoping for winning send-off
Added on Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Bayliss hoping for winning send-off
Troy Bayliss will bow out of motorcycle racing this weekend as the final round of the World Superbikes championship heads to the Algarve.
The all new Portimao circuit in Portugal opens this weekend and Bayliss, who sealed the championship at Magny Cours earlier this month, will officially retire after the final two races of the season at the new venue.
Bayliss will celebrate his career and his three world titles on three generations of Ducati superbike with a special livery on his Ducati 1098 this weekend and the focus is certain to be on the Australian as a glittering career finally comes to an end.
But the 39-year-old is in relaxed mood ahead of his first and last appearance at Portimao,
“I am a lot more relaxed now that I know that we have done what we set out to do,” he claimed. “We’ve won the riders and constructors titles and can tick that off the list. Now I can go to Portimao knowing that a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
“I’m looking forward to racing there, as what we saw during the recent test days was a very impressive track!
But Bayliss still has ideals on ending his career on a high note, with two wins the goal this weekend, adding: “It’s been a long and stressful year and I’m tired, I feel I have just enough energy left to complete these last two races… I would love to finish the season, and my career, with a win so that’s my goal this weekend, to ride with no pressure and just enjoy what will be my final two Superbike races!”
