Bayliss back on board at Ducati Mugello test

World Superbike legend Troy Bayliss stepped back on board a Ducati Superbike machine for the first time since his retirement from the championship at the end of 2008 in a positive test session at Mugello on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

The two-day run at Mugello, the first time Bayliss had ridden a superbike in 18 months, saw him lap in a time of 1 minute 51.9 seconds on race tyres, after the first day had been conditioned by heavy rain.

"I really enjoyed myself and I hope the feedback I have been giving the guys is useful," said Bayliss after the test. "I was a little worried that I'd have forgotten how to ride after the year and a half break, but it was easy and to be honest it felt like I'd never been away!"
Bayliss retired at the end of the 2008 season with three world titles and an excellent record of 52 wins in 152 races.

Regarding an eventual return to the track for Bayliss, team manager Ernesto Marinelli refused to make any significant comments, declaring: "Hold on, this is an important decision that we will eventually leave up to Troy. It's clear that for him the door is always open".

The next time Bayliss will ride the Ducati will be at Misano during World Ducati Week from 10 to 13 June.