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

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