Eurosport - Tue, 07 Oct 13:15:00 2008
There was something very fitting to the way Troy Bayliss celebrated his 2008 World Superbike crown at Magny-Cours.
Going out for the second race after bagging the title in race one - after finishing second to an absolutely flying Noriyuki Haga - meant there was only one thing on Troy's mind.
With the title decided he had nothing to lose: this was going to be the first time in a long time that we were to see Bayliss (pictured) at his unabashed best.
And he didn't disappoint. From the moment he passed Haga and set about putting in the final lap of the race at 10/10ths we knew we were in for a treat.
That last half-lap was something special: Bayliss pushing the Ducati 1098 to the limit; electronic aids and traction control forgotten as he pushed the front into tricky turns and spun the rear on the exits; and all of it done perfectly, to within the millimetre.
To do that in his 150th WSBK race, and take his 50th win as the newly-crowned champion, showed the class that the Aussie has delivered throughout his long and illustrious career.
Tempers in the British Eurosport studio became frayed though during the World Supersport race - specifically when Robbie Harms disengaged his brain and decided to skittle Jonny Rea with a late braking move that defied belief.
James Haydon, Tom Sykes and myself had our heads in our hands as we watched in horror as Rea was robbed of his shot at the world title.
Jonny had closed the gap down at Vallelunga from 37 points between him and Pitt to just 11 going into Magny-Cours. He was in with a shout of winning the crown and things were boiling up very nicely for a climactic showdown between the Ten Kate boys.
And then Harms decides to ride like a novice on his first track day showing off to his new girlfriend sitting bored by the track.
What an idiot.
It's not the fact that he did what he did: everyone can make mistakes on track, especially at a circuit like Magny-Cours which is so, so tricky. But in doing it he took out two guys who were in with a shout of the title. Harms's scrap was not for the crown, so you'd have thought some professionalism would have come into play.
Of course in racing everyone wants to win, but when a moment's madness affects the World Championship so heavily it is bang out of order.
Let's take nothing away from WSS champ Andrew Pitt though: he rode superbly at Magny-Cours and has ridden at probably his best level all year.
The way Pitt has been in terms of consistency, race craft and strategy has been second to none and he thoroughly deserves the world title.
What a shame that he hasn't yet found his way to WSBK. I'd love to see him in the same form on a bigger bike.
Comment 1 - 5 of 5
Harms, you useless @#$% thanks for ruining our last two supersport races and gifting pitty the title, not that i mind pitty winning it i just wanted a closer scrap till the end. Missing craig jones like mad in the supersport races, it just ain't the same without him- GOD BLESS JONESY
A MASSIVE WELL DONE TO OUR JONNY REA ULSTER'S FINEST.
AFTER LISTENING TO PITT IN THE PRE-RACE CRYING SESSION HOW HE ACCUSED LAVERTY OF RIDING OUT OF HIS DEPTH THE WEEK BEFORE.
PITT NEEDS TO GO TO SPECK SAVERS AND GET THEM MINCERS TESTED. MUPPET. YOU CAUSED THE ACCIDENT WITH LAVERTY.
CRYING THAT JONNY AND EUGENE ARE MATES. YES CONSPIRACY. THE 2 OF THEM GOT TOGETHER BEFORE THE RACE AND SAID LETS BIFF PITT OUT OF THE RACE. WISE UP ANDREW DRY YOUR EYES.
JONNY WAS KNOCKED OFF BY THAT OTHER MUPPET, HARMS, JONNY STILL HAD THE MANNERS TO SAY IT WAS A RACING INCIDENT. PITT TAKE NOTE ITS NOT CHESS WE'RE PLAYING, ITS RACING MOTORBIKES...
JONNY NEXT YEAR GO AND SHOW THEM ALL HOWS ITS DONE.
KEEP ER LIT....
Harms should be banned for 5 races at the start of next season, if he has to sit and watch it might just make him think about being a bit more sensible. He ruined the end of a good season by riding so irresponsibly and it's not the first time he's ridden like an idiot. (I think Jonny Rea should give him a good kicking too!!)
I am not a great Carter fan (tho you cannot knock his knowledge and love of the sport) but if you want to have a go at some ones knowledge then be darn sure of your own facts Mr Smedley, if you are not sure let us remind you that Mr Bayliss rode for points in race one to finish third, I think you will find Mr Carter was discussing race two, this is the racing format that you obviously are un aware of, two races in one day, gosh, all those races you must have missed!
Another casing point, your grammer is close to appauling!
Get Carter hey. I dont think you was watching the same race as me & everybody else cos im sure Bayliss finished third behind Haga & Nieto. Even you write up is as boring as watching you on T.V. Was there any other brits riding at Magny Cours then!!!
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