The Bayliss-Ducati connection will return to the world stage in 2022 as Oli Bayliss steps up to WorldSSP with Barni Racing.

The Bayliss-Ducati connection will return to the world stage in 2022 as Oli Bayliss steps up to WorldSSP with Barni Racing.Son of three-time World Superbike Champion and ex-MotoGP racer Troy, 18-year-old Oli is currently competing in the Australian ASBK Championship, aboard a Ducati Panigale V4R, for 2021. Picking up his maiden win at Hidden Valley with a new lap record back in June.

Bayliss moves to the 600 class with the Ducati Panigale V2, thanks to the new rules set to be introduced from the start of next season, as Barni Racing diversifies into the intermediate class. The partnership is strengthened by added Bologna factory support.

The teenager’s first full-time step onto the world stage comes 20 years after Troy's first World Championship title with another twin-cylinder Ducati, in Superbike. Although he secured wildcard - on a Yamaha R6 - back in the championship’s last visit to Phillip Island in 2020, the then 16-year-old was forced to withdraw from the race after a technical issue proved the Cube Racing Team’s downfall after qualifying 20th.

Bayliss has one more ASBK race remaining for 2021 - at The Bend Motorsport Park in South Australia - where he currently sits in fifth in the championship standings, just one point behind his nearest rival.

“I’m really happy to announce that I will be racing for Barni Racing Team in the World Supersport Championship on the Ducati Panigale V2,” Bayliss said. “I’ve finished my school program, which means I can now put my focus completely on racing motorbikes, training and only that.”

“Oli has been brought up around racing, 2021 has been his first year on Ducati V4 R in the ASBK and taking the win in Darwin earlier this year came sooner than we thought,” his father added. “I think the move to Barni Racing Team is a great opportunity, I hope he enjoys the V-twin as much as I did.”

“We are really pleased and excited that Oli will be debuting in World Supersport next year with the new Panigale V2 and Barni Racing Team!” Sporting Director Ducati Corse, Paolo Ciabatti concluded. “The Bayliss family and Ducati have always been linked very strongly and we have recently launched the V2 Bayliss Replica special version to celebrate Troy’s first world title with Ducati 20 years ago, so now the tradition continues with Oli, and we are really happy about that”.