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Australian hero Troy Bayliss predicts a strong season for the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati squad, as the three-time world champion looks ahead to the kick off of the 2017 season. Bayliss competed in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship for six for full seasons including wildcards, meaning he understands the ins and outs of MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship.

Keeping a strong relationship with the Italian factory, the 47 year old has made his prediction of who will lead the championship fight as well as offering some advice to the title fighters.

Pointing out the strength and depth of the WorldSBK grid, Bayliss anticipates a thrilling year of racing action ahead of us: “I think that this year in the World Superbike championship, the level of talent is very strong. It’s really good now to see so many different guys winning at different tracks, and seeing so many different guys at the front. We’ve got big grids again and I think that it’s stronger than it has been for a while.”

“Of course World Superbikes is like my chair,” Bayliss continues, “It’s something that I love and that I spent most of my career doing. It’s nice to see some new faces again like Marco Melandri coming back. Of course I’m from Ducati, but I think this year could be a Ducati year. Obviously Jonathan Rea is so confident and really comfortable now, but Chaz Davies has been so strong. I think he needs to improve in the first few rounds and I think it could start well for him, but with Marco Melandri - we don’t know he could possibly do it.”

Bayliss will be present at his home circuit of Phillip Island this weekend, as the #AUSWorldSBK action gets underway with Race one on Saturday 25^th February at 15.00pm LT (+11 GMT).