Returning three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss ended his Phillip Island weekend with mixed emotions after twice succumbing to tyre wear problems and only scoring three championship points.
The Aruba Ducati man took 13th in race one and didn’t score in race two after his tyre problems got so bad he had to pit to change Pirelli rubber. The Taree rider had been in eighth early on but couldn’t ride and believes he could have done a lot more.
“I’m feeling a real mix of emotions at the end of the weekend. I came here to have fun, and for the fans and the Phillip Island circuit. I thought that maybe I wouldn’t have the pace to be able to run with these guys anymore but instead I’ve seen that I can still be fast and, if it hadn’t been for the tyre issue, I think I could have done a lot more,” said Baliss.
“So I don’t know, it’s a pity I didn’t have more time on track, and I didn’t have time to train properly ahead of the event of course, but all in all it’s been a really fun weekend, and in many ways it feels like nothing has changed since 2008. I thank Ducati for giving me the opportunity and also all of the fans and ducatisti for their continued support.”
