Troy Bayliss is the new World Champion 2008 Superbike and all media attention went to the new champion at Magny Cours which was a good moment for Twowheelsblog to have a talk with Troy’s teammate Michel Fabrizio, Ducati Xerox rider and Italian.
-I received some rumours about you, is it true that you are becoming the most friendly Italian rider after Frankie Chili?I don’t know if I am more friendly than the other Italians but I try to be as friendly as possible to the fans and to the press.
When I am not in the garage or preparing for sessions, I try to relax and spend time with my family and friends around the paddock.
Frankie is also a good friend of mine.
-All the media is following Troy, is it not hard for you, don’t you lost your motivation? When Haga will ride next year beside you, will it be different?Troy is a legend in world superbikes and much earlier in the year he announced his retirement from the sport, so it was obvious that he would get a lot of media attention.
I don’t mind at all, I think it is normal, and it means I have been able to put my head down without too much pressure.
This year was my first year with Ducati and so after a year of experience with the team, I hope to be able to improve on this year’s results next year and with results comes media attention.
-We have seen that it takes some time in a race before you really get your race-tempo.
Is it your riding style?The problem that I have is that I’m not good at starts, I can’t get off the line as quickly as the other guys, so it often happens that I lose a few places – or I can’t make up places – at the start.
So then I have to catch up during the race! It is not really a style, it is just because I need to work on my starts, it would save me a lot of work during the race!-The last few races you really performed very well, some different updates on the bike?No we haven’t changed anything.
At Brno I had a great weekend but I’ve always gone well there and then I was really determined at Vallelunga as it’s my home track, and when I took second in race two, my determination was even greater then normal because I knew I could help Troy to win the title if I got past Corser.
-The team chief Tardozzi is a very powerful person at Ducati Corse, but he looks like such a friendly and warm team chief.
Is this his way of running the team?Yes.
He has a really great way of working with riders.
He runs the team but he is like a friend, he tells you what he thinks, tells you when he thinks you’re making mistakes, compliments you when you do well, suggests ways to improve, things like that.
Sometimes he gets annoyed but only because he wants to see his riders do better! I think it is due to Davide that I am on the team, so I am very grateful to him!-Any news for you to confirm for 2009?I am staying with the Ducati Xerox Team next year, yes.
Thank you Ducati Corse and Michel Fabrizio, sure we will follow you on every race next year! Photo Koen