The son of WSBK legend Troy Bayliss misses most of the Portimao test: In a crash, Oli Bayliss contracts a fracture in his ankle
The 2022 Supersport World Championship season did not start according to plan for rookie Oli Bayliss. The son of WSBK legend Troy Bayliss travelled from Australia to Portugal this week to gain his first experience of the Ducati Panigale V2 prepared by Barni at the Portimao test. The test ended in hospital for Bayliss.
The Australian suffered a fracture to his right ankle in a highsider on Wednesday. “I went out but it felt different to the same bike I rode at home. The feeling was completely different. I did a few laps and the feeling slowly built up. Maybe I was a bit overzealous and gave it too much throttle. The result was a violent highsider at turn 5,” Bayliss reported.
“I remember crashing, but I don’t remember how I hit. I think my foot got stuck under the bike,” muses the Barni Ducati rider. “The result was a visit to hospital where I had my foot plastered. “
Bayliss is keen to get back on his Ducati at the Misano test on 16/17 March. “I will be really fit by then. I will make sure I do everything I can in the coming weeks to be 100 per cent fit again,” explained the World Championship rookie.
“Before the test I was really euphoric. But this crash set me back a bit,” Bayliss admits. “I know we can be fast. It will be a tough year because the championship is so strong. We have a good package and I’m confident. “
Marque mate Nicolo Bulega hinted at the potential of the new Ducati Panigale V2 with the factory bike. The former Grand Prix rider set a 1:43.876 lap to be the fastest Supersport rider at the Portimao test.
“It was a very good test,” summed up Bulega. “We tried some changes on the second day, which were good. I felt very comfortable. We were able to put together a good lap. I feel very comfortable in the team and on the bike.”
“I like the tyres and the bike a lot. I can brake hard. It’s good for my riding style. So far we can be satisfied,” enthused Bulega, who is one of the favourites for 2022. “It is still too early to talk about concrete goals because we have only been able to test for two days. But I and the team envisage finishing in the top 5 in all races,” said the Italian.
