Bayliss Accepts Rossi Challenge for the “Duel in the Desertâ€￾

[MPH 200]

Hope its not a repost.


WSBK: Bayliss Accepts Rossi Challenge for the “Duel in the Desertâ€Written by: Dennis Noyes 12/17/2008 - 01:04 PM
Borrego Springs, CAPage 1 2 3 4
Three-time World Superbike champ Troy Bayliss (Photo: Ducati Corse) » More Photos
Rossi is Free as a Bird

Obviously this is not something that Ezpeleta really thinks is “great.†In the Spanish text he actually replied with the words “Me encanta†(more or less meaning it is an exciting idea, I approve, and literally meaning “I am charmed by the idea). The truth is that the MotoGP contracts, at least the last time I saw one (they are confidential) prohibits MotoGP riders from riding a MotoGP bike “or any bike said to be a MotoGP bike†at any non-MotoGP races.

But that would not be the case here. It cannot be argued either that Rossi could be denied permission to ride at another World Championship event because Rossi has ridden and won the Eight Hours of Suzuki, the Japanese round of the FIM Endurance Championship.

And, finally, whywould Yamaha want to stop this (assuming they could)?

Perhaps the corporate fear that the legendary Italian could be beaten in what would unquestionably be the “Race of the Century†by a 39-year-old Australian on a twin cylinder Ducati. Although Ben Spies has been very quick on the R1 in the opening tests both in Portugal and South Africa, the new Yamaha has been down a bit on top speed even compared to the 2008 R1 that was taken to second and third in the final points table by Troy Corser and Noriyuki Haga.

But the second real attraction of a Rossi ride in World Superbike would be the prospect of a match-up with arch rival Max Biaggi on the new, sleek, and very fast Aprilia RSV4.

This “Duel in the Desert,†whether Yamaha really wants it to happen or not, may just be too big to stop.

 

[MPH 200]

Rossi set for Bayliss Superbike duel
Eurosport - Thu, 18 Dec 06:34:00 2008

MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi has agreed to a one-off Superbike race against Troy Bayliss, according to reports in Spain.

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Solo Moto magazine claims the Italian will take on Bayliss in a head-to-head battle on March 14 in Qatar, saying the deal is "said and done".

The duel will take place during the weekend of the second round of the 2009 Superbike World Championship at the Losail circuit.

Rossi is expected to race a Yamaha R1 - as used by factory riders Tom Sykes and Ben Spies in 2009 - while Bayliss will be on the familiar Xerox Ducati.

Bayliss retired from the World Superbike scene after romping to his third championship in 2008 on the Ducati.

The Australian's dominance of an increasingly competitive series earned him the Rider of the Year award from the well-respected Italian magazine Moto Sprint ahead of Rossi, who won his sixth world championship in MotoGP's premier class, his eighth overall.

The 29-year-old Rossi is thought to be unhappy at the snub, and has agreed to the race in a bid to hammer home his supremacy.

Rossi recently said he was keen to take Bayliss on one-versus-one, telling Corriere dello Sport: "If there was an opportunity and the right date then I would race there tomorrow.

"I like World Superbikes to be mad, I like to watch it and I'd love to ride in it, the problem is the dates.

"I do not know when, but I hope that I can make a race in WSB. I am sad that I would not be able to race against Bayliss on track now because I would like to challenge him on a superbike. Maybe, if I ask him he might even come back for one race for the challenge."

There has been no official confirmation from either rider.

 

[Mr Bogus]

so I take it the MotoGP rules are much like F1? F1 cars basically have to have approval to even run on a track by the F1 committee (specifically bans testing outside of what is approved)

I smell a Pay per view

 

[sullyjones]

Think its going to take a lot of money

Troy Bayliss has revealed he’s tempted by the gauntlet thrown down by MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi for a one off race on Superbikes in 2009, but he’d need a lot of money to do it.

Bayliss who retired after the final round of the WSB championship, as a three-time world champion believes Rossi would have no problem getting up to speed on a Superbike and is flattered by the Italian’s desire to race him.

Speaking exclusively to MCN from his home in Monaco, Bayliss said:
“I spoke with Valentino and he told me that he wants to race me really badly! It wouldn’t be so hard for him to be competitive on a Superbike, Yamaha have got a strong bike so it would no problem at all for him to get up to speed. Valentino Rossi is Valentino Rossi.

“For me right now I’ve stopped training and I’m happy with my plan to finish. I’m feeling happy that the last time I rode I was world champion plus I won both races and beat all the other guys out there. For me to do it I’d need something like £1m and that’s not going to happen.â€￾