Bayliss fights Ducati...latest and other news

[Smitty]

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.

[aardvark]

Bayliss will be gone at the end of the year. Back to WSBK if anyone will take him.

[mfzx6r]

I tend to agree with Jas.
Now if Kawaski was to piss Hoffman off and put Bayliss in that would be good



mario

[icebreaker]

I don't think Kawasaki can afford to have that many bikes hit the ground..

How many times has Bayliss fallen off this year?

[Ratmick]

How many times has Bayliss fallen off this year?

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.

[redzedx7r]

Rumour : the real reason for Bayliss' spat with Ducati is when his mechanics stripped the bike down after the Sachenring off they found second hand parts from the Ducati Test Bike had been fitted to his bike. Troy is being treated pretty shabbily compared to Loris considering he won a SBK championship for them. If you're not a wog or Japanese loyalty means jack shit in MotoGP, just ask Pittie.

[James]

Ya know, it would be a good move for HRC to employ Bayliss next year - not from my point of view, I think Honda suck! But Honda's egotistcal bosses are out to prove that all of their success is due to the bike and not the rider and given that Bayliss has had a bad year this year,(as has Honda compared with previous years) seeing him on a Honda and doing well will stroke the HRC bosses egos the way that liked to be stroked. It will also fill the void left by Barros until Vermulen starts in 2006, and in addition will provide a 'senior' rider to guide Hayden. Bayliss still has the hunger and desire to win and Im sure he could just jump on the HRC bike and ride the wheels off the thing.

Im a huge Bayliss fan and he deserves better than what hes getting at the moment. My favourite moments of MotoGP have been Bayliss sticking it to Rossi on occasion - Id love to see that again. As a matter of fact, I'll stick my neck out and say that Bayliss will get his first MotoGP victory this weekend at Brno.

[ty]

wow
them's 'put your money on the table' fighting words
ty

[mfzx6r]

If they do get rid of Bayliss then Xaus and Hodgson are farked as well .
He can beat not only Cappa but both of them farkers too !!!!!!

I know it stinks but its all about personal sponsers and how much $$$ you can bring into the team and us Aust seem to suffer when it comes to that.
The Oz businesses will not sponser bike riders like the Italians/Spainish/french etc etc will so unless we'll all Doohans its hard out there.
Thats why Pitt etc have to work hard to keep racing.


mario

[Nanna10r]

Yeah If Only Bayliss had riden like Edwards???? (who) and just Moaned about being second Stringed to Cappa maybe he'd be Employable. I Think hes Better then he's shown this year an hope hes on anything half descent next year. Also think the only guy still breathing that can beat Rossi on equivalent gear is Mick Doohan .... an I dont think he needs the Cash or the Drama.
Cheers Brett

[redzedx7r]

on a drying cold track Bayliss is 2nd fastest in Friday qualifying, those two duds on the green machine are 23rd & 26th.

[Phil]

no one should underestimate the talent and skill of mr troy bayliss, as james said his hunger and desire to win is still incredible.

i'd also say that the main reason he's ben having a few opsies this year is that he's been trying to ride a bike thats just not doing it in the handling stakes, get him on the zx-rr and for fark sake piss bloody hoffmann off.

or better still, get him on either the zx10 in wsbk or the ARRC

go troy ( he learnt everthing he knows on his kr1s and zzr600)

[aardvark]

Also think the only guy still breathing that can beat Rossi on equivalent gear is Mick Doohan ....

Mate, dont even start! I know Mick is an Aussie, and a legend, and had some talent... But being a better rider than Rossi? Settle down.... Mick never, ever had the balls to switch to a second rate bike.

If Rossi wins the chamionship this year, then surely people will have to concede that he is the greatest rider ever?

[Smitty]

yeah jase

but look at some of the evil machinery Mick rode.....
could rossi..handle some of those????
THAT will be a pub argument...forever.....

guess we'll never know

[Phil]

good call yoda, some of those late eighty's early 90's (before big bang in 92 were some of the most evil GP bikes ever.

when the unleaded came out it made the 500's even more "docile", if you can call a bike with that much power docile.

its like comparing ago to doohan to rossi, its not fair really, they were each the best of their era.