> Ducati Xerox Sponsorship Home > Press releases & team news

Troy Bayliss completes a two-day test session
on the 1198 at Mugello

Mugello, Italy
Wednesday 12th May 2010

Three-times World Champion Troy Bayliss was back on track at Mugello yesterday and today, riding the Ducati 1198 development bike for the Ducati Xerox team; his first Superbike ride since his last race (and double victory) at Portimao in October 2008, after which he announced his official retirement.

The two-day test session, scheduled some months ago as part of Ducati’s 2010 testing schedule, was conditioned by heavy rain yesterday. Bayliss, though riding in full wet conditions, immediately got back into the swing of things and registered a best time of 2m05 during the morning. Although the rain let up in the early afternoon, the track remained wet and slippery, so there was no opportunity for the Australian rider to improve his time.

This morning the track was still damp but the work continued regardless and by lunch time the asphalt had dried out. The team worked on the development of a new software for the gear shifter, with very positive results, meaning that it may be used in this Sunday’s race. The team also worked to refine the set-up of the 1198 and found an efficient solution that may also be implemented this weekend in Kyalami. By the end of the session, which concluded in the early afternoon, Troy had made more than 60 laps, registering a best time of 1’51.9, an extremely impressive time for a Superbike at Mugello. The test team, as well as Ernesto Marinelli who returned to the role of track engineer for the Australian during these tests, declared the sessions a success, having collated valuable data and feedback from Troy over the two days.

Troy will next test for the factory team during World Ducati Week, taking place at the Misano World Circuit from 10th to 13th June, alongside factory riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio.

Troy Bayliss

  

Troy Bayliss  “The weather wasn’t on our side but we still got a lot of work done. Actually I think riding first in the rain was a good way to work up and get back into it. The track finally came good today and we got about two and a half hours in the dry which was good. I really enjoyed myself and hope the feedback I have been giving the guys is useful. Having Ernie and Alessandra there helped of course, it felt just like the old days. I was a little worried that I’d have forgotten how to ride after the year and a half break, but it was easy and to be honest it felt like I’d never been away!”