Copyright 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
Bayliss Goes Three for Three
By Glenn LeSanto
Troy Bayliss powered his way to his first ever World Superbike win at his home circuit of Phillip Island. The Australian got the better of a race-long battle with Colin Edwards after the American made a mistake on lap 19 while the pair were locked in battle.
Bayliss got the holeshot, pulling a huge wheelie as he blasted away from the grid in front of pole-sitter Edwards. Noriyuki Haga soon joined the pair on his Aprilia and for a while it was a three-man fight up front. But then Ruben Xaus began to close on the trio to join in the fun.
Then Haga’s bike expired on lap 10, leaving Bayliss and Edwards with only Xaus to get between them and a titanic scrap for the lead. As the race wore on and the tires wore out Xaus was unable to keep the pressure on and dropped back for a safe third.
It all looked set for a last-lap decider when Edwards made a mistake going into Siberia and ran wide on lap 20. This effectively handed the race to Bayliss who just kept his head down and maintained his cool to win the race by 2.4 seconds
Ben Bostrom just beat fellow Ducati rider Neil Hodgson to the line passing him on the last lap to grab fourth.
World Superbike Championship
Race One, Phillip Island
Race result:
1 Troy Bayliss, Australia (Ducati) 34:30.102
2 Colin Edwards, USA (Honda) 34:32.571
3 Ruben Xaus, Spain (Ducati) 34:40.162
4 Ben Bostrom, USA (Ducati) 34:51.234
5 Neil Hodgson, GB (Ducati) 34:51.320
6 Hitoyasu Izutsu, Japan (Kawasaki) 35:08.025
7 Gregorio Lavilla, Spain (Suzuki) 35:08.111
8 James Toseland, GB (Ducati) 35:11.240
9 Chris Walker, GB (Kawasaki) 35:20.981
10 Lucio Pedercini, Italy (Ducati) 35:31.648
World Superbike Championship
Race One
Rider Quotes
Race winner:
Troy Bayliss, Ducati, Michelin tires:
“It feels good to get a win here in front of my friends, family and home supporters. And there’s still one more race to go!
“The bike, tires and suspension are all working well despite the heat.
“Both Colin Edwards and Ruben Xaus were up there and putting on the pressure. I made a mistake after trying to run into a ‘Honda’ too hard and the tire just couldn’t take it.
“In some places Colin was quicker than me and in others I was faster. I reckon we both stood a chance for the win but it turned out best for me
in the end.
“If the worst comes to the worst in race two I’ll just sit on the back of Colin and see how it goes.”
Second place:
Colin Edwards, Honda, Michelin tires:
“I made a mistake and lost the chance to win the race. It was all going good and I was trying to get in close for a pass when I got neutral coming out of ‘Honda’ and thought ‘what the f–k’s going on!’ It took about a minute to hook up second again and by then Troy was gone.
“As for the tires, just look at the hats on the podium, all Michelin.
“In race two I want it to be in the reverse order, that greedy bastard! (Bayliss)
“I need to change my sixth gear for Race Two, I was hitting the limiter when I was running up behind Bayliss.”
Third place:
Ruben Xaus, Ducati, Michelin tires:
“I wanted a podium. There was a big gap back to fourth and I had a lot to gain and a lot to lose so third was the best for me and the championship.
“I also need to change my sixth gear in race two.”
Bayliss Wins First World Superbike Race At Phillip Island
Bayliss Wins First World Superbike Race At Phillip Island
© 2002, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.
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