Troy Bayliss completed his first day of testing on board the Desmosedici GP9 at Mugello today alongside regular factory test rider Vittoriano Guareschi.
It was a first outing for the Australian on a MotoGP bike since the final round of 2006, when he followed up his second World Superbike title by competing in the final Grand Prix of the season at Valencia, scoring a sensational one-two for Ducati with victory ahead of his team-mate Loris Capirossi.
Today was also Bayliss' first taste of an 800cc MotoGP machine and his first track action of any sort since ending the 2008 WSBK title-winning season, and his legendary racing career, with a double race victory at Portimao.
"This is literally the first time I've ridden a motorcycle since we unveiled the 1198 after the end of last season at Portimao", said the Australian rider. "It was nice to shake off a bit of rust and with Mugello being such a physical circuit it was a good workout!"
"The last time I rode a GP machine was at Valencia, which was the 990cc, but the 800cc isn't exactly lacking power and I just spent today getting a feel for it. I can't wait to get back out there tomorrow and on Thursday and hopefully by the end of the session I'll be able to give some useful feedback to Filippo (Preziosi)."
motogp.com
Maybe we will get to see Bayliss and Rossi on the same track after all, after Rossi’s attempt to go to WSBK for 1 race to go head to head with Bayliss at Qatar failed.
Maybe now that Bayliss is testing for Ducati he will do a guest appetence as a wild card in one of the race?
I personally hope so. I think it will be good.
Also it is obvious the Ducati needs all the help it could get and it is good to see they are doing positives step to try and help all their riders. And that they recruiting one of the best riders for the job.
So good luck to Ducati (and of course to my beloved Nicky- I want to see you smiling again)
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