Oliver Bayliss to miss second day of Portimao test following ankle injury

Barni Spark Racing Ducati rider Oliver Bayliss will miss today’s final day of WorldSSP testing at Portimao following a right ankle injury. 

The 2022 WorldSSP rookie was taking part in his first test for the Ducati outfit, however, the Australian completed just nine laps before suffering a crash at turn five. 

Bayliss, who was joined by fellow Ducati WorldSSP riders Nicolo Bulega and Maximilian Kofler for the two-day test, suffered a fractured ‘lateral malleolus’. 

Bayliss will instead be replaced by Nicholas Spinelli for day-two of testing at the Algarve International Circuit, while the former Australian Superbike rider will now focus on recovering in time for next month’s Misano test. 

A statement from Barni Spark Racing Ducati said: "Due to a crash at turn five, this morning, Oliver Bayliss was brought to the hospital of Portimao, where medical scans revealed a fracture of lateral malleolus on the right ankle. 

"Oliver will try to recover for the next test scheduled for the 16th-17th March at Misano World Circuit. After the confirmation that the injury would have prevented Oliver to take part in the second day of testing in Portimao, the team - in agreement with the Australian rider - decided to call Nicholas Spinelli to continue the development of the Panigale V2. 

"Nicholas, who is already experienced with the bike having ridden the twin-cylinder of Borgo Panigale last year in National Trophy, will be on the saddle tomorrow in the second day of test at Portimao."

Day-one of the Portimao WorldSBK test saw six-time world champion Jonathan Rea edge out current Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu and Alvaro Bautista, while former MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci also made his Ducati Superbike debut as he prepares for his first MotoAmerica campaign.