Bayliss plots farewell glory.

Noooo!!!

Oh well maybe he can go on to eclipse Foggy before the end, he deserves it for sure.
SBK wont be the same without him, we need more Aussies on the grid how about Jamie Stauffer? that'd be cool.

Oh I hope not! I was torn this season as I wanted a brit to win it with Toesland, but Baylis has to be my fav rider in WSBK...

Shame he might have too much of a bike advantage this year. But no matter what, Sir Troy of Bayliss, motorcycle god.

we need baliss in supers, a fantastic rider and great character, lets see if he can take NINE wins in one season then he can count them on both hands!

that is so fkin funny,brought a smile to my face anyway

I don't know whether they've sorted out the engine \ pistons with 1200cc motor, but I'm sure they won't have the advantage 'chu' thinks. I just wonder if Ducati isn't thinking of turning the 'ecu power' to a capable \ competitive mode, at start of season..bearing in mind that everyone knows that Ducati are being monitored by all parties, from FIM to Francis Bata et al, craftily doing just enough to ward off suspiscion of holding any power back on the 1200 but competing 'equally' with the 1000cc fours. So, with couple critical races to go, everything about 'equal'..Ducati then switch to the pukka race ecu, trick traction etc and 1098 wins champ on debut and tearfulBaylis retires champ. Magic

everything comes to an end but WSB without Bayliss on the grid will be an empty place. I hope he finishes his career on the top podium with or without the help of the new bike.

Personally I'd like to see Bayliss win the title this year, but want to dispel the 1200cc 'advantage' theory. Let's face it, the 1200cc will be practiacally standard with a few trick bits, whereas the R1's and Gixxer's are nothing like standard. Go Troy!!

I hope that Bayliss doesnt win.A 39 year old winning??? we need young blood not all these old motogp losers in their.If Bayliss is such a legend why did he win only 1 moto gp race.Elias has won 1 moto gp and he's not a legend.
Also with bikes being equal Bayliss cant handle pressure,just crashes.
But, i will say what a great character he is,and wish him all the best in retirement at the end of 2008. Not as champion though,hope Haga wins,doubt it though.

simon you're on crack.. Sure WSBK can use some new blood, but "Bayliss cant handle pressure"? Give me a break. The guy's at least 20+ HP down on the fours, and he still manages to win lots of races. Not to mention he got taken out from behind one time. Even Dozeland crashed a few times, and he still has all 10 fingers.

He's not a legend for his motoGP record, he's a legend because he's one of the fiercest on the track, yet the most likeable off it. Also, you're wrong about Elias too- he's legendary... for taking out other riders

yeah i'm rooting for Haga to take the title in '08, but I've always admired Bayliss
for his tenacity & talent. Certainly one of the fiercest competitors to ever throw a
leg over a bike. Troy reminds me of an Aussie Fogarty but without all the bitterness & dour personality off the track.

Bayliss cannot handle pressure,simple as that.
When he's had huge advantage in the WSB Ducati cup he walks it,but when the other teams catch up,he crashes.
So WSB Ducati cup have now changed the rules and surprise,surprise after the first test Ducati are faster than the Yams,Hondas and Suzuki,who have had 3 years of developement.What a joke
WSB is now a gathering of over the hill Moto gp riders who just want to cash in before retirement.

Simon, you admit that this series isn't the pinnicle that MotoGp is so who cares who's in as long as the racing is good?
If the new pups can't beat the "too old to be any good" guys then they have nowhere else to go as the next rung is MotoGp and they wont be able to cut the mustard.
It's only testing and we have seen too many times before that testing sometimes equates to nothing come the drop of the flag.

We spend to much time "Name call" putting people down. Enjoy the racing, as long as a racer is a sportsman, & rides clean. Don't get personal, appreciate these Men for what they are, Extremely Talented Athletes. Enjoy the Memories of watching these guys race, My fondest recollection is of Mike "The Bike" HAILWOOD back in 1967 (The Only Moto GP ever held in Canada, at Mosport) Mike rode both the 250 cc 6 cylinder, and the 500 cc 4 Cylinder Honda's. I can still see him doing a two wheel drift,around the last corner, coming to within fractions of an inch to the edge of the pavement, all the while turning on the seat and watching where "Ago" was.. Great stuff. Enjoy the Sport Life is SHORT.

I think Bayliss is a vgood WSB rider, legend well not shore of that will he be missed yes think so . like Simon says many have won 1 moto GP race to me he went to GP and couldn't cut it so took his ball in, also can people stop banging on about the loss of his finger many have lost there life whats a finger

In 2007 Troy Bayliss did not look to have a machine advantage and he was normaly in the top 5 places, his team mate on a simular bike was often fighting for a top ten place. Next year we will have Bayliss, Baggi, Xaus and Fabrizoi on the F1188 Ducatis, we should then see if its the rider or the machine. The 1st three of the above are GREAT riders, (not sure about Fabrizio) But if is a Ducati 123 we will know its a machine advantage and will be the end of World Superbikes.

Well said Joe. I've just posted a comment to similar effect on a BSB thread. Intelligent observation and critical apraisal is one thing, but it's silly to slag off these fantastically talented riders, all of whom would completely embarrass us if we were ever to be on the track with them at the same time. Most of us are speaking from a position of near complete ignorance and if the riders ever look at these forums, they must just laugh.

Bayliss has great talent and character. His pleasant demeanor on and off track only reinforce the man's greatness. Corser is a world class racer, but his attitude will keep him from ever being "great." Bayliss' working man style and enthusiasm reminds me of a club racer: in a good way, that is. He will leave quite a void in the paddock unless some more colorful and supremely talented riders stand up. Motorcycle racing needs more Baylisses, not more Foggys.

the best race that i ever saw was Baylis and Edwards in Italy about 4 or 5 years ago. epic battle, passing back and forth, almost taking each other out. Bayliss will be missed!!!

Foggyman. I think this was probably one of the best races of all time. Absolutely edge of the seat fantastic. When Edwards won the championship, Baylis was as happy for him as man could be in that situation. The whole event was epic.

I know Foggy was a bit obnoxious at times but I think this is how he had to be to go so fast. Apparently, now he has retired he is a much nicer bloke to be around (Quote, Jamie Whitham). It take all sorts.