by Smitty » Wed Aug 18, 2004 4:57 pm
Bayliss in spat with Ducati boss
August 18, 2004 - 4:44PM
Tempers have flared between Australian motorcycle ace Troy Bayliss and his Ducati MotoGP team.
Bayliss was reportedly involved in a heated argument in the pits at the German Grand Prix last month with team boss Livio Suppo.
An uneasy relationship has developed between the former world superbike champion - whose contract with Ducati runs out this season - and the team.
After a sparkling debut in MotoGP for both Bayliss and Ducati last season, both have struggled this year.
The atmosphere is now apparently strained ahead of this weekend's Czech GP which marks the start-up of the tour after a month-long break.
The dispute in the pits was "nothing more than family business" according to Suppo, quoted in Australian Motorcycle News.
Bayliss suffered his fourth race crash this year in the German race and Ducati has refused to confirm whether the Australian's contract for next season will be renewed.
"We know his potential is bigger than he has shown so far this year. Now it is too early to say `you're in' or `you're out'," Suppo said.
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Despite the differences in Ducati, Bayliss can look forward to this weekend's race with some encouraging memories.
He had his best ride of 2003 at Brno, leading rivals Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau for half the race before finishing third, just 0.6 seconds behind winner Rossi.
"I liked Brno pretty much straight away when I first tested there last year," Bayliss said.
"I guess you could say it's a little like Phillip Island, because it's flowing, so it keeps the bikes together and makes for good racing.
"I can't wait to get back there. After Donington (in England) I know I can race up front and I've been training hard over the break, so I can come back strong at Brno," he said.
Fellow Australians Andrew Pitt and Casey Stoner will also be back in action at Brno.
Pitt, a full-time Kawasaki rider last year, will compete on a Moriwaki prototype as one of a handful of wildcard rides he has been granted - including the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 15-17.
Stoner, the KTM Red Bull rider, has confirmed that he will be back for the Czech 125cc GP after being out of action since breaking his collarbone in a practice crash at the Sachsenring circuit in Germany last month.
Stoner has stepped up his training program at home in Australia and is looking forward to getting back to competitive action.
"It was frustrating to miss out at Sachsenring and Donington Park (British GP) but it's been nice to spend some time at home and make a proper recovery," Stoner said.
"I've been seeing a specialist and had some X-rays and the break is healing nicely.
"The shoulder is still quite sore but I've been able to start training again recently and I should be able to do some motocross in the next few days," Stoner said.
A specialist in Frankfurt has prepared a shoulder brace for Stoner to wear to protect his collarbone.
GOTTA LUV the 12R!!