Joerg Teuchert
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Ducati Corse sporting director Paolo Ciabatti has confirmed that Ducati hopes to bring Oli Bayliss, son of former three-time Superbike World Champion Troy Bayliss, to World Supersport for 2022.
After announcing its return to the intermediate class, a category in which Ducati has entered 323 races, the Bologna-based manufacturer appears to be taking one more step towards confirming its full Aruba.it Ducati range.
With Moto2 rider Nicolo Bulega becoming the first rider to join the new team last month, Bayliss, who is currently competing in the Australian Superbike Championship, is in talks with Ciabatti and Ducati.
Speaking of the team’s second WorldSSP seat after Round 15 of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship in Austin, TX, Ciabatti said: “We have seen Moto2 riders such as Locatelli and Odendaal performing well and winning races. Supersport races.
“Nicolas [Bulega] needed a change of scenery and having the opportunity to spearhead Ducati’s effort will give him extra motivation.
“At this point it’s not official, but we are also trying to get Troy Bayliss’ son into the league, we are discussing that with Troy.
“Oli Bayliss turned 18 a week ago and won a race with the V4 R in Australia.
“Getting him in the world championship, 20 years after his father won his first title with us, would be a great story, it would be interesting for the Ducatisti.”
If Bayliss is to join Ducati in World Supersport, it won’t be the Australian’s first appearance in the World Superbike paddock after making a WorldSSP wildcard entry at the opening of Phillip Island 2020.
