Bayliss ends on a double

by Dave · November 3, 2008

Troy Bayliss has completed his remarkable career with a double win in Portugal.

Bayliss Bows out on Top

Troy Bayliss has signed out with a remarkable double win from pole position at the Parkalgar Autodrome in Portugal. Bayliss’s double win closes out both the 2008 World Superbike season, and his illustrious career.

Race 1 saw Bayliss carve out a huge advantage at the front, leaving the rest of the field to fight over second place. After Bayliss’s team mate Fabrizio took out both himself and Max Biaggi on the first lap, Corser, Rea, Xaus and Cal Crutchlow fought it out until Crutchlow and Xaus faded. Haga retired with bike problems as tyre wear became the main issue, with the Portomao track surface playing havoc among the front runners. Eventually Bayliss took the win, his tyre issues slowing him to a 2 second win margin, with Checa in second place, and Corser taking third, and a runner up spot in the Championship.

Race 2 start was a replay of the first, with Bayliss clearing out to a big lead, leaving a pack of riders fighting for the scraps.Noriyuki Haga sat in second, until he received the ride through penalty for a jumped start. Xaus highsided out spectacularly on lap 10, causing Checa to run off the track and drop back through the order. Leon Haslam managed to catch and pass Neukirchner and held him out for third place behind Bayliss’s team mate Fabrizio.

Troy Bayliss completed the cool down lap with his helmet off, and in emotional scenes the entire Ducati team flooded onto the podium after the presentation.

Bayliss hangs up his boots with 52 race wins and 3 World Championships, and as he said- close to tears- in his in the post race interview, “in one piece”.

Superbike Race 1

1. Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati Xerox 1098 F08
2. Carlos Checa ESP Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR
3. Troy Corser AUS Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1
4. Jonathan Rea GBR Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR
5. Fonsi Nieto ESP Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000
6. Gregorio Lavilla ESP Ventaxia VK Honda CBR1000RR
7. Leon Haslam GBR HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR
8. Ryuichi Kiyonari JPN Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR
9. Ruben Xaus ESP Sterilgarda Go Eleven 1098 RS08
10. Regis Laconi FRA PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse ZX-10R

Superbike Race 2

1. Troy Bayliss AUS Ducati Xerox 1098 F08
2. Michel Fabrizio ITA Ducati Xerox 1098 F08
3. Leon Haslam GBR HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR
4. Max Neukirchner GER Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000
5. Fonsi Nieto ESP Alstare Suzuki GSX-R1000
6. Troy Corser AUS Yamaha Motor Italia YZF-R1
7. Carlos Checa ESP Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR
8. Gregorio Lavilla ESP Ventaxia VK Honda CBR1000RR
9. Cal Crutchlow GBR HM Plant Honda CBR1000RR
10. Regis Laconi FRA PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse ZX-10R