D34G Racing steps up to World Supersport with Oliver Bayliss, Maximilian Kofler to tackle WorldSSP Challenge
D34G Racing is ready for a new challenge following an encouraging debut on the international stage last year. The team led by Davide Giugliano will again run a two-rider line-up in 2023, but with one half tackling the full World Supersport season. The name chosen for this important milestone is none other than Oliver ‘Oli’ Bayliss, while Maximilian Kofler will be his teammate in the European rounds (WorldSSP Challenge).
Bayliss, the 19-year-old Australian son of three-time WorldSBK champion Troy, made his World Supersport debut last year aboard a Ducati Panigale V2 955 with a sixth place as current best result scored in race two at Estoril in May. Despite his young age, he has already a great wealth of experience in motorcycle racing having started as early as 14 in the ASBK (Australian) Championship.
Austria’s Kofler also made his World Supersport debut in 2022 aboard Ducati machinery, after two full seasons in the Moto3 World Championship and wildcard appearances in 2018 and 2019, whilst racing in the Moto3 Junior World Championship.
The team will work hard to be ready for winter testing, which will begin in the second half of January as well as for the 2023 season kicking off at Phillip Island on February 24-26. Kofler’s season will begin at the TT Circuit in Assen in April (21-23).
OLIVER BAYLISS
“I’m super happy to be going into the new season with D34G racing run by Davide Giugliano. 2023 will be my second year in the WorldSSP category and with the Ducati Panigale V2 955, so I’m looking forward to building on the experience made in my rookie season, keeping my progression moving and make it a good one. I’ll train hard during the off-season to be ready for the first test and cannot wait to get started. See you all in 2023. A big thank you goes to all my sponsors and supporters who have been behind me.”
MAXIMILIAN KOFLER
“I’m really happy to join the D34G Racing team. I’m also thankful to Davide and the whole group for this fresh opportunity after what was a very challenging first year in World Supersport. They trust me to ride the Ducati at its full potential and I’m over the moon – I can’t wait to get started! I’m sure that with Davide’s experience and the crew’s skills we can do a really good job and make strides in the upcoming season. I will only do the European rounds this time, but this motivates me even further to make the most of it. I’m also happy to have Oli as teammate, because we’re good friends. It’s a great opportunity for both of us and we’ll be able to help each other and push each other to the limit.”
DAVIDE GIUGLIANO – TEAM MANAGER D34G RACING
“We wrapped up 2022 on a high and with excellent results, which give us great motivation ahead of the new season. We renewed the whole line up for 2023: we will have two, new and young riders in Oli Bayliss and Maximilian Kofler. Both did a great job in 2022 aboard Ducati machinery, so we give them a warm welcome. I cannot wait for the season to get underway: testing will commence very soon, in the second half of January, and I’m looking forward to seeing them aboard our bikes.”
