Rossi vs Bayliss in WSB 2009

[enigma51]

well petronas are long gone and the kwaka was once good. never know one day it may happen for them again.

actually kwaka picked up a few podiums not soo long ago. all they need are some competitive and motivated riders. shall be interesting to see how the new kwaka factory guys go.

They had laconi no one is more competitive and motivated ..... .that they can afford

[AllanB]

Soft cocks the pair of them.
I'd take them on on my Hornet and even give myself the handicap of fitting a couple of tight rubber bands around my scrotum and a carrot up my date!
I well imagine I'd be passing them on the straight sitting backwards on the Horny doing a power mono, while they both trundle along thinking up their next seasons helmet designs.
I'd have time to stop short of the finish line, sign a couple of brolly-girls boobs, then walk my power-steed over the line (while smoking the rear tyre of course) before either of them appear around the last corner.

Bring it on I say

Anyone care to pop around to mine for a touch or carrot soup tonight?

[pritch]

Bayliss won one of his 50-odd MotoGP races, and he's a better rider than Rossi?

How you managed to read that from what I wrote God knows

The fact is that on the one occasion they met in (relatively) recent history Bayliss did the deed. He was also very convincing in the manner in which he did it.

The event, if it came to pass, would be a must see for sure.

[Badjelly]

The fact is that on the one occasion they met in (relatively) recent history Bayliss did the deed. He was also very convincing in the manner in which he did it.

Yes, those are facts. If I wanted to start a shitfight about the relative merits of Rossi and Bayliss, there are quite a few other facts I could mention. But I don't. Peace, brother.

[Cajun]

bit more info

The 2009 World Superbike Championship could begin with a bang if plans for an appearance by MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi and a return for retired WSBK Champion Troy Bayliss come to fruition.

According to a number of reports surfacing in Europe, the second round of the season at Losail, Qatar could play host to a remarkable race in which Rossi would ride a WSBK-spec Yamaha R1, while Bayliss would assume his place at Ducati Xerox for one round.

The match up is thought to have been born out of Rossi's claims that WSBK provides more enjoyable racing than MotoGP, something that is set to be reinforced in 2009 by the fact that 31 riders are already confirmed to the Superbike grid, compared to 19 for MotoGP.

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According to Spanish publication Solo Moto, it also comes after Bayliss was the surprise winner of the Moto Sprint Rider of the Year award, an accolade normally reserved for Italian riders like Rossi.

Apparently frustrated to have been beaten by Bayliss, Rossi has been motivated to challenge the Aussie rider to a historic duel and reclaim his superiority.

What isn't clear is whether Rossi and Bayliss will go head-to-head or whether they will assume wild-card rides with the remainder of the WSBK field.

There has been no confirmation from either rider or team.

[racerhead]

Another bit of info, but not the good kind

Ducati Xerox team manager Davide Tardozzi claims Troy Bayliss is flattered to have been praised by MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi, but insists he is not planning on participating in a much speculated head-to-head with him.

Speaking to Crash.net about the rumours of Rossi challenging Bayliss to a duel on Superbikes at Qatar, Tardozzi states that there has been no request to him about preparing a bike for the now retired WSBK Champion.

Reports in Europe claimed a deal had been done for Rossi and Bayliss to race one another at Losail after Bayliss won the Moto Sprint Rider of the Year award over Rossi.

Subsequently, Rossi's praise of Bayliss prompted him to state that he would enjoy challenging him on a Superbike, leading onto reports that a one-off appearance was being mooted.

Even so, regardless of whether this deal would come to fruition, Tardozzi insists it wouldn't happen in Qatar anyway because it would be logistically difficult for Ducati to prepare in time.

"This is something that Valentino said, but Troy was merely honoured, so I don't think it is possible to happen," he said. "If something like that happened then there are many things that would have to be decided first.

"Valentino would like to do it in Qatar, but for us this is not good. We don't want to do exactly what he will want to do, because it won't be possible.

"It is a nice thing though and Troy was very happy to be considered by Valentino as the top guy in Superbikes, so it pleases him that he said that. This is something Valentino wished to do, but while Troy was flattered, nothing has been discussed."