“Icon” Bayliss celebrates third crown
Added on Monday, October 6th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
“Icon” Bayliss celebrates third crown
Troy Bayliss celebrated his third World Superbikes championship yesterday to ensure the best possible end to a glittering 150 race WSB career.
The 39-year-old, who will retire at the end of the season, secured the championship in the opening race at Magny-Cours on Sunday before claiming his 50th career victory in race two – ensuring a day of double delight for Australian bike fans after Casey Stoner’s MotoGP win at Phillip Island earlier in the day.
Bayliss, who can now head to the new Portuguese circuit at Portimao without any pressure, was also delighted at winning his three titles on three different Ducati’s: the 996R, the 999F06 and now the 1098 F08.
“I’m extremely happy to have won my third world championship and to be able to say I have won on three different generations of the Ducati Superbike,” he said. “I want to thank the entire team who have worked so hard and put a lot of trust in me. Together we have done a great job this season. These last years with Ducati, since 2000, have been a great experience for me.
“This whole year has been up and down, with several riders remaining consistently fast. From half way through the season we became more confident and so there was a lot of pressure but I’ve done what I set out to do, I really wanted to win on the three different Ducati Superbikes.
“It’s just a fantastic feeling. Now I have secured the title, I’m looking forward to enjoying the last round at the brand new track of Portimao, where I’m hoping I can finish the season on a high!”
Ducati chairman Gabriele Del Torchio was full of praise for the champion, claiming that Bayliss was an “icon” of motorsport.
“I am particularly happy and proud of this victory,” he said. “Exactly one year ago the MotoGP win added a very important chapter to our history but this win demonstrates, for the fifteenth time, Ducati’s supremacy in competitions for production bikes such as SBK.
“Troy is an icon of our brand, a true Ducatista, who demonstrates characteristics such as determination, intelligence, pride and competitiveness, bringing added value to our company and to our bikes. A rider that “never gives up”, he is the public’s favourite, it is impossible not to like him.
“He truly deserved to conclude his career triumphantly, with yet another win to add to the list, consolidating his position among the greats of motorcycling. Ducati owes a lot to Troy and he has always known how to repay the company, writing unforgettable pages of motorcycling history for us.
“Thanks again Troy, and a particular thanks also to the team, to Ducati Corse and all the Ducati employees who has each played their role to perfection to secure this fantastic result.”
