Rossi set for Bayliss Superbike duel

Eurosport - Thu, 18 Dec 06:34:00 2008

MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has agreed to a one-off Superbike race against Troy Bayliss, according to reports in Spain.

2008 MotoGP Valentino Rossi - 0

Solo Moto magazine claims the Italian will take on Bayliss in a head-to-head battle on March 14 in Qatar, saying the deal is "said and done".

The duel will take place during the weekend of the second round of the 2009 Superbike World Championship at the Losail circuit.

Rossi is expected to race a Yamaha R1 - as used by factory riders Tom Sykes and Ben Spies in 2009 - while Bayliss will be on the familiar Xerox Ducati.

Bayliss retired from the World Superbike scene after romping to his third championship in 2008 on the Ducati.

The Australian's dominance of an increasingly competitive series earned him the Rider of the Year award from the well-respected Italian magazine Moto Sprint ahead of Rossi, who won his sixth world championship in MotoGP's premier class, his eighth overall.

The 29-year-old Rossi is thought to be unhappy at the snub, and has agreed to the race in a bid to hammer home his supremacy.

Rossi recently said he was keen to take Bayliss on one-versus-one, telling Corriere dello Sport: "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."

There has been no official confirmation from either rider.

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 16 of 56

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  1. Get me a ticket, would love to see them both scrap it­ out, don't think its gonna happen though

    From Incheerocket, on Wed 17 Dec 4:35PM

  2. i think rossi even on a slower r1, would win, look at­ stoner on a ducati with more bhp, and rossi beat him,

    From lyndsay_mike, on Wed 17 Dec 4:23PM

  3. Rossi 125 250 500 & motogp god
    Bayliss wsb ducati­ one trick pony.

    From darren, on Wed 17 Dec 4:11PM

  4. This will be awesome, hope to go!!! They both never­ give up so will be a good race. I would put my money­ on Bayliss!! Remember the year when he won the WSB­ then got given a wild card in the last GP and went on­ and won it.....The man is a LEGEND.

    From vernanizzola, on Wed 17 Dec 3:20PM

  5. this should be a very interesting and close race­ between 2 great racers wouldnt like to put money on it­ thats for sure

    From , on Wed 17 Dec 3:05PM

  6. Will it be a dull race? D jury's still out, but it­ surely will be historic. Come on boys put on D show.­ Burn rubber. Anyay Da DOCTOR is it.

    From adeniyi o, on Wed 17 Dec 2:54PM

  7. I agree with wombwell - the Yamaha is not as­ competetive as the Duc and to have the race on the same­ machines would be more sensible and why not the­ BMW's.
    Lets face it though it will never happen and­ any true racer knows Rossi is outstanding to match­ Stoner ( a quality rider) on a slower machine really­ proved his talent.

    From mike, on Wed 17 Dec 2:54PM

  8. I don't think it'll ever happen but if it does­ I reckon Bayliss will win because of his superior­ knowledge of riding the Ducati Superbike. I know Rossi­ is the goat but Bayliss is the Superbike King it should­ be a very close race though if it even did happen.

    From GEORGE, on Wed 17 Dec 2:35PM

  9. Well said,comment #1.There's only one­ DOCTOR,but,since it's a friendly duel,good luck to­ both riders.Just make sure it's not a boring race.

    From Guyver_3, on Wed 17 Dec 2:23PM

  10. come on guys, same machine please.!!!!

    also make­ manufacturer different to what they normally ride so­ all is fair

    Think 2 BMW'S would do nicely
    also­ the publicity would do them good in thier debut year

    From TYKE THROUGH AND THROUGH, on Wed 17 Dec 2:13PM

  11. I'm a big fan of Rossi, greatest of all time, but­ Bayliss on his bike is surely equal to Rossi on an­ unproven brand new R1

    From VALE FOR 6, on Wed 17 Dec 2:05PM

  12. come on guys, same machine please

    From mikewwfc, on Wed 17 Dec 1:39PM

  13. if it's not close, this could be the most boring­ thing ever to watch

    From Gabriel, on Wed 17 Dec 1:00PM

  14. OMG....two very good riders, watching a duel like that­ I would be torn but yep Valentino is­ king.....

    Goodluck to both riders! Sure it'll be­ awesome!

    From rebecca, on Wed 17 Dec 12:49PM

  15. Rossi will wipe the floor with him - would be better if­ on equal bikes

    From elenavinogradovalowe, on Wed 17 Dec 12:40PM

  16. thers only one DOCTOR

    From TYKE THROUGH AND THROUGH, on Wed 17 Dec 12:14PM
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