Bayliss Says No to Comeback

The three-time World Superbike Champion says he will not come out of retirement after testing for the Ducati Xerox team during World Ducati Week at Italys Misano circuit. The declaration shuts down a rumor that Bayliss himself started during a previous test session.

I spoke too soon, says Bayliss. I still wanted to race and I said I wanted to come back. But when I tested here I found out that things werent going that good and we ended up going around in circles. Thats when it hit me and I realized that it was hard things like that that I didnt miss about racing. That completely changed my mind, I dont want to come back racing and I dont want to do any wild cards. Im retired and Im happy.

Bayliss comments came before the final day of testing June 14, a private test day held after World Ducati Week had ended. Testing a new set of Pirelli tires, Bayliss had the top time of 1:35.6, faster than Fabrizios 1:36.0 and Hagas 1:36.4 times. Despite the improved results, Bayliss restated his decision to remain retired.

The testings gone really well and with more time on track today the times improved quite a bit this morning. Im happy with how it all went and hope my feedback can help Nori and Michel, but Im also tired because weve had a lot to do during this edition of WDW, both on and off track! says Bayliss. As I said during Saturdays WDW press conference, I have made up my mind and I wont be coming back to the racing but I will undertake one more Superbike test later this year, just before the Imola SBK round, as agreed with Ducati at the start of the season.

Bayliss did take part in some racing during WDW, joining a Ducati Streetfighter drag race competition with current Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio, Ducati Marlboro MotoGP riders Nicky Hayden and Casey Stoner, and satellite Ducati WSBK racers Carlos Checa, Shane Byrne as well as MotoGP test rider Franco Battaini.

Haga came out on top in the competition, beating Hayden in the final with a time of 5.703 seconds. Bayliss was third, losing to Hayden in the semi-final round while Haga beat Stoner in the other semi-final.

Bayliss wasnt the only potential comeback taking part in the testing. Making a surprise appearance was Regis Laconi, formerly of DFX Corse. Laconi was seriously injured in a crash during practice during the 2009 Kyalami, South Africa round. Laconi suffered two cracked vertebrae and had to be placed into a medically-induced coma following the crash. Laconi completed 70 laps during the test, but the team insists a comeback is not in the works.