TROYBAYLISS.COM

Both Race 1 and 2 at the Misano World Circuito saw a hard fought battle between several of the Ducatis, both factory and privateer, the two factory Yamahas and the Suzuki of Neukirchner, with Ducati Xerox factory rider Troy Bayliss eventually taking two third places on the podium.

Bayliss and Corser dominated the first half of Race 1 until Neukirchner managed caught them both to ultimate pass and take the win ahead of the two Australians. A run-in during lap eleven of the same race between Fabrizio and Max Biaggi saw the premature end to Fabrizio’s race, an unfortunate finish after making such a strong start.

In Race 2 Bayliss made a flying start to the restart and the first nineteen laps saw him and Corser swapping between first and second positions, before Xaus and then Biaggi too picked up the pace to overtake, with Bayliss struggling to keep up due to his soft tyre choice. Ducati took all three podium places as a result, with the two Ducati Sterilgarda Go Eleven riders finishing just ahead of Troy Bayliss. Michel rode in seventh place for most of the race before tyre wear meant he lost a few places to finish in eventual eleventh place.

Troy Bayliss now holds 259 championship points, while Neukirchner moves into second place with 210 points ahead of Carlos Checa (207). Michel Fabrizio lies in eighth place with 111 points.

After a very positive weekend, Ducati continues to lead the manufacturers championship with 323 points ahead of Yamaha (284 points).

Troy Bayliss
“It was really hot here today like every year. I had been feeling good all weekend and was feeling confident before race 1. We had chosen a hard tyre which we thought would be good but then I struggled throughout the race. I can’t take anything away from Neukirchner and Corser though as they rode a great race. After Race 1 we changed the tyre for the second race, thinking that was the problem, and that was as a bit better but it was still difficult and towards the end I was losing grip with the rear. Again I take my hat off to the guys ahead of me, Ruben and Max (Biaggi), who did a fantastic job. I can say that the day has been one of the hardest of my career, but in the end we’ve gained more points. I’d have liked to have done better today but there you go.” .