From a press release issued by Xerox Ducati: Phillip Island (Australia) Thursday 28th February: Troy Bayliss and Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) have landed in Australia and are ready for another great weekend of racing after making such a strong start last week in Qatar. Having secured a victory and a second place finish last year at the Island, Bayliss, who has announced he will retire after the 2008 World Superbike season, is keen to repeat that success at his home track again this year in front of a large crowd of spectators. Bayliss heads into this second round leading the championship with 38 points. He has only just recovered from his last visit to this track when he broke his collarbone during the January winter test session. Team-mate Fabrizio is looking to build on the fast times he set during winter testing and the encouraging fifth place achieved in his first round with the Ducati Xerox Team last week in Qatar. Troy Bayliss “This year, being my last year, I’m out to enjoy myself and, of course, to win races. The team’s goal is to win the championship and so I’ll be taking any opportunity I’m given for a win here. It should be a great weekend, many of my family members and friends are coming down to cheer me on so I hope I can do well for them too. Phillip Island is a pretty special track for me and I’ve had some good and bad experiences during that time and so of course I’d love to go out on a high here. I’m feeling really comfortable on the new 1098 F08 and with the atmosphere in the team so I’m looking forward to what is ahead – it will be a competitive weekend and the same can be said for the rest of the year.” Michel Fabrizio “I have had some good experiences here at Phillip Island in the past few years and I have to say I like the track. I was pretty happy with how I went in Qatar but I hope this weekend gives me the chance to improve on how I did last weekend. I would really like to be up at the front with the Australian riders but we will see how we go – I’m feeling happy with the bike and so it should be a great weekend.” Country: Australia Name: Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit Length of circuit: 4.445 m Pole Position: left Length of straight: 835 m Race distance: 22 giri/97.790 km Lap records: Fastest lap: Corser (Yamaha), 1’31.826 (2007). Superpole: Bayliss (Ducati), 1’31.887 (2007). 2007 results: Race 1: 1. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 2. Toseland (Honda); 3. Biaggi (Suzuki), Race 2: 1. Toseland (Honda); 2. Bayliss (Ducati Xerox); 3. Haga (Yamaha)