Retired three times SBK Champion Troy Bayliss completed his first day of testing of Desmosedici GP9 at Mugello yesterday alongside test rider Vittoriano Guareschi.
It was a first time that Bayliss got back on a MotoGP bike after his sensational win at Valencia back in 2006.
Last year Ducati tried to line up Bayliss and Max Biaggi test ride the GP8 in order to to find out why their struggling riders (Melandri, Elias and Guintoli) were languishing near the back of the grid.
The proposal fell through when Bayliss declined saying that his priority was winning his 3rd title and Biaggi was injured and had to beg off.
Having Bayliss test ride this year’s Ducati and the GP10, Livio Suppo is hoping that some of the feedback will help this year’s struggling riders and find out why they’re not doing at least the same times as pre-season testing and that Preziosi render the GP10 a rider friendly bike or they may not find someone willing to ride the red missile from Borgo Panigale.
Troy Bayliss on 1st day of testing:“This is literally the first time I’ve ridden a motorcycle since we unveiled the 1198 after the end of last season at Portimao.
It was nice to shake off a bit of rust and with Mugello being such a physical circuit it was a good workout! The last time I rode a GP machine was at Valencia, which was the 990cc, but the 800cc isn’t exactly lacking power and I just spent today getting a feel for it.
I can’t wait to get back out there tomorrow and on Thursday and hopefully by the end of the session I’ll be able to give some useful feedback to Filippo (Preziosi)”.