In his first eight races with the new Ducati 1098 F08, the 39-year-old from Taree has taken the chequered flag on five occasions, finished second twice and has only been off the podium once, in race two at Losail.
But having seen a once dominant title lead slip away during 2002, Bayliss will be taking nothing for granted - especially since his nearest title challenger is a WSBK rookie, and should thus improve as the season goes on.
That 'rookie' is former
MotoGP star
Carlos Checa, who looks more than ready to take his debut WSBK victory - but needs to improve his qualifying and first lap form. Monza will be a bit of an unknown quantity for Checa, since it is not on the MotoGP calendar, but the speed of his Ten Kate Honda will certainly prove to be an asset.
Three podium appearances this year, including a second place at Phillip Island, are the results that have helped to take double world champion
Troy Corser to thir din the standings for Yamaha Motor Italia.
Corser has been winless since Phillip Island in 2006, but Mr Superpole’s qualifying form - 41 poles to his name, on five different makes of machinery - continues to be outstanding and a breakthrough for the 36-year-old Australian on the YZF-R1 machine is surely not far away.
Two Spanish riders
Fonsi Nieto (Suzuki Alstare) and
Ruben Xaus (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati) are next up, fourth and fifth with 85 and 81 points respectively. Nieto appears to have lost his way somewhat since his opening round win, while at Assen Xaus was one of the key contenders but was eliminated early on by Haga in race one before picking up a useful fourth in race 2.
