Troy Bayliss on his Xerox Ducati took a lights to flag victory during race two of round eleven of the Corona Extra Superbike World Championship to put the crowning glory on his new World title.
Having taken the title with his race one result, Bayliss was able to relax and go all out for the race to victory. Resplendent in his new white leathers and crash helmet he got the hole shot off the line and pulled gradually away.
“This is a very special day for me winning the World Superbike Championship. It is really great and I'm happy for everyone involved, my team, our sponsors, the fans,” said Bayliss, “Imola is a special place for us; this is my first ever victory here and I'm over the moon with how things have gone.”
He is under no illusions about next season as Ducati will be up against some serious competition as he went on to say, “Next year will be tough, Alex Barros is coming on strong and we have Max Biaggi joining us next season too. The Championship will be strong but that is what we like a challenge.”
Second place went to Alex Barros who got a bad start but charged through the pack to take a fighting podium finish. He was doing his utmost to reel in Bayliss who had by this stage pulled over a three second lead, but Barros managed to take that down to 1.413secs. If there have been a few more laps to run, Bayliss would have had a lot of hassle from the Brazilian.
“I need to learn to start!” joked Barros, “I lost a lot of time behind Muggeridge and at Variante Alta I almost touched him. I tried as hard as I could to catch Bayliss but he was too far. I hope to continue to race like this. It is good for me for looking to next season.”
Yuki Kagayama on the Alstare Corona Extra Suzuki took a well earned third place after crashing out of race one. “I tried maximum but Alex was coming and I can't make more. He was very strong today and next week I try more,” he concluded.
