Carter: Rossi to challenge Bayliss?

Eurosport - Wed, 03 Dec 09:38:00 2008

Tony Carter wonders whether Valentino Rossi would really take on Troy Bayliss in a one-off World Superbike race.

2006 Troy Bayliss Valentino Rossi - 0

How clever is Valentino Rossi?

He certainly is shrewd. Over the last couple of weeks the eight time World Champ has been out in action at a rally event, stirred up press speculation about his future with the odd quip about his remaining two years with Yamaha and taken to the track for some early 2009 testing.

And now, in an almost unreported on section of the Italian press, Valentino's gone and dropped probably his biggest bombshell to date.

Because, according to some race watchers over here, it's now been reported in Italian sporting publication Corriere dello Sport that Vale wants to race none other than Troy Bayliss in a one-off World Superbike scrap.

Blimey.

Here's what the publication has apparently run as direct quotes from Rossi himself: "If there was an opportunity and the right date then I would race there tomorrow. I like World Superbikes to be mad, I like to watch it and I'd love to ride in it, the problem is the dates.

"I do not know when, but I hope that I can make a race in WSB. I am sad that I would not be able to race against Bayliss on track now because I would like to challenge him on a superbike. Maybe, if I ask him he might even come back for one race for the challenge."

The magazine also goes on to quote Ducati Xerox Team Boss David Tardozzi as saying: "We like this idea, but will Rossi really race in Superbike? Bayliss is ready."

I think David's reticence about the idea is pretty spot on. Would Rossi really come to WSB for a one-off race against Bayliss? Vale on the R1 versus Troy on the 1098?

Let's not lose sight of the fact that it would be a thing of legend in terms of motorcycle racing. One of those events and races that every race fan around the world would talk about forever.

But, like David said, would Valentino really go and race in WSB?

Surely he doesn't feel the need to. He can't honestly think he has anything left to prove on two wheels, does he?

Let's assume that he's not mulling over the idea to prove anything to anyone then, let's take a look at the bigger picture.

Why would Rossi say these things? What could he hope to achieve? Has he been so starved of good, manic, close-quarter racing in recent MotoGP years that the elbows-out nature of WSB is starting to pull him towards the series?

Is there another motive for saying these things at all?

Maybe. It's still early days yet as far as the 2009 MotoGP season goes, but we're already out of the new season's starter blocks as far as rider's mind games go.

And maybe this is just a really nice bluff put up by the king to just knock his rivals off their stride a little bit. Every time they think they have a handle on him and can adjust and tighten up their own attacks accordingly, Rossi the master throws them a curve ball.

Good tactic to use.

Mind you, if it's not mind games and he really does want to race Bayliss at a WSB round soon then do what you have to so that you can get trackside because that one race will be amazing.

Tony Carter / Eurosport

Comment 17 - 36 of 36

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  1. All being equal it's a real non event not many

    From deathblowuk, on Mon 15 Dec 12:21PM

  2. i like c0ock

    From jasonmillington, on Wed 10 Dec 11:37AM

  3. to Ikehorsman: get a grip, you pratt ! Yes, Bayliss is­ a god and Rossi would get spanked !

    From Brian, on Tue 9 Dec 4:49AM

  4. This duel would be nearly as good as Sheene vs Roberts­ at Silverstone! People still talk about that one!!!!!

    From JERRY, on Tue 9 Dec 2:20AM

  5. DON'T FORGET EVERYONE !!

    It's time to give­ your pet hampsters a good thick coat of Ronseal to keep­ them shiny and sealed in through their hibernation.

    From Zark, on Mon 8 Dec 2:26PM

  6. This would be a great race to watch, I really hope it­ does happen, still think Rossi would win but be great­ to see how good Bayliss and Max really are. Roll on­ 2009, I sure miss my bikes.

    From Andy, on Sun 7 Dec 7:08PM

  7. Short memories, Bayliss is no Carl fogarty. He is good­ but not a god. He was wheel to wheel with James and­ Harga none could challenge Rossi or even stick to his­ back wheel. Bayliss did win one round on the best­ bike, it would be good race but please don’t think­ Bayliss would spank Rossi

    From barry.riddell, on Sun 7 Dec 2:16PM

  8. I Really like Max Biaggi! he can win Races! but yes I­ Think Valentino Rossi would Chanllenge Troy Bayliss to­ a Race. I Can't wait until next Year! Can You?

    From Gary G, on Sun 7 Dec 11:03AM

  9. biaggi cant even dominate one wsb race. let alone a­ championship

    From Steve, on Sat 6 Dec 10:04PM

  10. No people, Rossi wants to beat Max Biaggi again just­ one more time, Troy is just excuse!

    From V M, on Sat 6 Dec 6:36PM

  11. Would be a great day watching two greats at it on the­ track, both on their factory make bikes (Yamaha,­ Ducati) at Donnington (would prefer Brands).

    From tracy e, on Fri 5 Dec 7:30AM

  12. yeah but Bayliss wasnt at his best until he came back­ for that one race. Bayliss returned to wsb took his­ riding to his very best and has been the one to beat. ­ Its hard not to say rossi isnt at his peak with the­ number of wins he had this year. either way it wont­ happen. dont get me wrong rossi is a very good­ motorcycle racer and seems to be able to adapt to any­ bike he wants well road racing anyway but i think some­ people overlook bayliss big time

    From Steve, on Fri 5 Dec 1:28AM

  13. To Steve who said that Bayliss already beat­ Rossi.....he did it once in 3 years you pratt, every­ other time Rossi punished Bayliss. I think Bayliss is a­ fantastic rider but not in Rossi's class, then­ again who is????? If i am not mistaken Rossi won the­ Suzuka 8 hour on a Honda so he can obviously ride a­ Superbike quick.....lets be honest Rossi can ride the­ wheels off anything. Bayliss is a great guy and a great­ Champ...

    From ikehorsman, on Fri 5 Dec 12:56AM

  14. Its all happehed before,but todays kids never heard of­ the old days and what used to happen, from dommyracer

    From ALBERT H, on Thu 4 Dec 11:02PM

  15. Throw Kelly Slater and Mick' Schoey into the mix...

    From Peacemaya, on Thu 4 Dec 8:38PM

  16. Bayless already beat him last year why would he want to­ both doing it again

    From RON T, on Thu 4 Dec 5:56PM

  17. Rossi is lighter? what the @#$% are you on­ about??firstly rossi has helped to develop the r1 so it­ wouldnt be fair to stick both on r1's. different­ bikes suit different individuals, the 1198 has been­ beaten and its not an advantage.

    As said this has­ already happened. on rossi's turf, in rossi's­ championship on a bike rossi new. and bayliss kicked­ his @#$%.

    Anyone who believes theres going to be a two­ bike world superbike race between rossi and bayliss is­ even stupider than tony carter for writing this­ article.

    oh how i laff...

    From Steve, on Thu 4 Dec 11:29AM

  18. Rossi would win this. Bayliss is a great champion but­ Rossi is better. I am a WSB and BSB fan but even I have­ to admit that Rossi in a fair race would win. Rossi is­ lighter and is a master at breaking. Bayliss will­ definately give him a good fight but I can't see­ him beating Rossi.
    This would be a great event­ though!!!

    From Ole, on Thu 4 Dec 10:54AM

  19. Already happened when you remember Baylisstic Bayliss­ one off ride in Valencia 2006 as reward for winning­ that years superbike championship, he absolutely­ obliterated the field including Rossi although Vale was­ never in contention after falling off. Yes they are­ both great champions but [biased]Aussie that I am why­ just have a one off as novelty, they really needed to­ run a full year both on superbikes and that will never­ happen. But it still would be worth seeing. Donington­ 2009 sounds fantastic cause have already started­ planning a trip to be there next year. Kathy

    From Kathy, on Thu 4 Dec 1:05AM

  20. well said grromm, i to am sick to death of getting­ rossi shoved down my throat 24/7, yes he's talented­ at what ever he turns his hand to [except beating­ bayliss on a superbike, not a @#$% chance] but do we­ have to see his smug @#$% grin on everything? Were not­ all sheep and support other riders other than rossi-­ REPSOL ROSS p.s just got back from the N.E.C and­ i'm extatic- new R1, ugly as sin [don.t care about­ big bang it looks @#$%] ZX10- was ugly last year, still­ ugly this year and the've fitted B-KING exhauts on­ the new GSXR1000, so that looks gross as well, so now­ the new REPSOL fireblade [which i've ordered] is­ the best looking [japanese] 1 litre super bike, no­ question!!!!!!

    From REPSOL ROSS, on Wed 3 Dec 9:38PM
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