From a press release:
TROY BAYLISS Racing
Media Information
For immediate release
Tuesday, 4 June 2002
Round 7, 2002 Superbike World Championship
Euro Speedway, Lausitz Circuit, Germany
Event preview
BAYLISS RESTED AND READY FOR GERMAN WORLD SUPERBIKE ROUND
After the torrential rain that lashed the Silverstone round of the Superbike World Championship less than two weeks ago, the riders will be hoping for a return to clear and dry conditions when they head to Germany for round eight of the championship at the Euro Speedway, Lausitz this weekend, June 8-9.
One rider who is looking forward to this weekend’s round is defending World Champion and current championship points leader, Infostrada Ducati’s Troy Bayliss. The Australian had what could only be described as an awe-inspiring weekend at a wet Silverstone which saw him crash twice in the opening race, but remounted to place fifth before returning to the track to take the win in race two.
After the wet English round, Bayliss has returned home to Monaco where he has spent the past week combining relaxation with his customary intense
training program which includes many hours per day combining cycling and gym work. The time at home has allowed him to be uninterrupted in his
preparation for the weekend.
“I was actually quite surprised as to how good I felt physically after the Silverstone round,” said Bayliss. “Even though I did have a number of
crashes over the weekend, I fell good and that has allowed me to get stuck into some training this week, especially on the bicycle. I’m feeling good both mentally and physically at the moment, so I feel that that gives us an advantage from the time that we arrive at the track and we can start preparing the bike.
“We’ve got the balance of the bike worked out pretty well now,” Bayliss added. “I feel that the bike is good enough for us to win each time we go
out on it. The top speed of the new Ducati is similar to a lot of others out there, but where we have made good progress is with the suspension and tyres. Michelin especially, have supplied us with some very good tyres this year and combined with a good chassis set up has allowed us to do the lap and race times that we are currently doing.
“As for the track itself, I don’t mind it too much. It is a good spectator track, but there are a few Mickey Mouse sections on it as well. The weather was a bit patchy there last year, but I was still able to score two good results. I’ve got a feeling that we may get the same sort of
weather that we got last year, but hopefully it will be clear.”
At last year’s corresponding round Bayliss finished second to Edwards in race one before taking victory in a wet race two. Bayliss was also credited with the Superbike lap record with a time of 1-min 40.599-secs around the 4.265km German circuit.
Having won nine of the twelve races held so far this season, Bayliss has been unable to build a sizable break over Edwards in the championship. While Bayliss has had a strong win rate, Edwards has been equally consistent accumulating a total of eleven podium appearances – two wins, six seconds and three thirds.
EURO SPEEDWAY LAUSITZ SWC FAST FACTS
Circuit Length: 4.265km
Superpole: Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati) 1:40.205
Lap record: Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati) 1:40.599 (2001)
2001 Race 1/23 laps
1. Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda)
2. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati)
3. Tadyuki Okada (Castrol Honda)
2001 Race 2/24 laps
1. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati)
2. Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati)
3. Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda)
2002 World Superbike championship points (after 6 of 13 rounds)
1. T. Bayliss 260
2. C. Edwards 231
3. N. Hodgson 157
4. N. Haga 129
5. R. Xaus 120
6. B Bostrom 119
7. J Toseland 81
8. C. Walker 73
9. G. Lavilla 60
10. J. Borja 53
Bayliss Says He’s Ready For German World Superbike Round
Bayliss Says He’s Ready For German World Superbike Round
© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.