Corona Extra Superbike World Championship leader
Troy Bayliss claims he would welcome the return of former arch rival
Colin Edwards next season.
Bayliss and Edwards thrilled fans around the world when they battled almost exclusively for the WSBK crown during the 2001 and 2002 seasons. Castrol Honda rider Edwards, the 2000 world champion, lost his title to Bayliss and Ducati in 2001 - but won it back in 2002 after a brilliant end of season charge that culminated in a thrilling final-round showdown at Imola.
Both then defected to
MotoGP for the 2003 season, with Bayliss scoring a podium in only his third race for newcomer's Ducati, while Edwards battled with the less competitive Aprilia RS Cube. Thereafter, their fortunes were reversed, with Edwards sealing a satellite Honda seat in 2004 - and scoring his first podium before moving to the factory Yamaha team for 2005 - while Bayliss and Ducati suffered a tough second year, resulting in the Australian losing his ride.
A switch to Camel Honda for 2005 looked promising on paper, but Troy wasn't able to find a comfortable RCV set-up - his season, and MotoGP career, then ending prematurely after a serious wrist injury during training. The fortunes of Edwards and Bayliss again reversed in 2006, with Troy now looking all but certain to win his second world championship after a brilliant return to WSBK and Ducati, while Edwards is facing intense pressure to keep his factory Yamaha seat after only one podium from the first twelve rounds of the championship.
As a result, paddock rumours are already suggesting Yamaha could move Edwards 'sideways' to join
Noriyuki Haga in a World Superbike dream team - something Bayliss would welcome.
"We had some great battles over the years, he's a good rider and we always have a beer together afterwards," the Australian told
BBC Sport. "For him to come back would be great. It would help the championship. I'm always happy to see anyone come in who makes it better and more competitive."
