The world champion Troy Bayliss wrapped up his motorcycling career in fitting fashion yesterday as he picked up two wins in the final round of the World Superbike Championship. The Australian was in superb form on his Ducati Xerox bike as he dominated the opening race at Portimao in Portugal after he had started from pole position.
He rarely looked troubled as he pulled away from the pack and he came home more than two seconds ahead of Carlos Checa, with his compatriot Troy Corser taking third place. It was the same story in the second race as Bayliss again proved to be the class act in the field as he ensured that he wrapped up his racing career in winning fashion. He finished more than three seconds in front of the Italian rider Fabrizio Michel, while the British rider Leon Haslam put in an impressive performance to take the final place on the podium.
Bayliss, 39, has had a dream swansong season in the Superbikes as he dominated the championship, winning 10 of the 28 races to clinch his third title in a comprehensive manner. His nearest challengers for the title, Japan's Noriyuki Haga and Corser, finished almost 100 points behind, such has been Bayliss' complete domination of the campaign. He had previously won the championship in 2001 and in 2006, and had also been a runner-up twice.
Yesterday's victories took him to a total of 52 in Superbikes in a career that saw him start 152 races. He is one of the few riders to win a race in both the Superbikes and the MotoGP series, @Email:sports@thenational.ae
