Rossi: ''I want to race Bayliss in WSB''
Reigning MotoGP world champ wants Aussie hardman to come out of retirement for one-off clash
LOADS OF talk in Italy at the moment about some quotes reportedly printed by Italian sports mag Corriere dello Sport which apparently has Valentino Rossi saying he wants a go at World Superbike - and would love it if Troy Bayliss came out of retirement for a one-off clash.
According to unconfirmed reports so far, Rossi has said:
"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."
According to the same reports, Ducati Xerox David Tardozzi is reported to have said:
"We like this idea, but will Rossi really a race in Superbike? Bayliss is ready."
Last month Visordown reported how Rossi has openly slated MotoGP, prefering the bare knuckle, elbows out style of WSB.
Now, like we said - and make note of this - we haven't got confirmation of this yet, so this might all fizzle out into nothing more than a badly translated bit of wishful thinking on the part of a couple of eager race fans.
But, if it's not, imagine how amazing that would be - Rossi dipping into WSB to have a one-off battle against a returning Bayliss.
Discuss this story
Dont think Yamaha would be too keen on him risking injury in another championship, although I would love to see someone win a double world championship in one year like Freddie Spencer. Sounds more likely playing a game of 'Top Trumps' than a reality!
Posted: 01/12/2008 at 13:33
Would be awesome to watch the pair of them battling. Race of Champions but on two wheels is needed for this me thinks
Posted: 02/12/2008 at 09:54
you think it will happen ???? be nice if it does !!
Posted: 02/12/2008 at 21:41
Are we asuming that they will be on identical bikes? If so, I think it would be really close, but Bayliss would be more Gung Ho and pip him 
Posted: 02/12/2008 at 21:50
The only way to do it is as a "home and away" bout, but during regular WSBK rounds. Obviously Rossi on a Yamaha, Troy on the Ducati for it to be a remote possibility. Thinking Phillip Island (Troys home circuit and a Rossi favourite) and Monza (in Italy so a home track for Rossi even if it is not Misano, and the home track for both the Yamaha & Ducati WSBK teams) Would pay big bucks to see Rossi & Troy @ Phillip Is in WSBK head to head.... DFH
Posted: 02/12/2008 at 22:42
BAYLISS RIDES LIKE STONER PIN IT LET THE ELECTRICS DO THE REST .NOT NOCKIN EM THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH THE BALLS TO TRUST THE DUKE. BUT ROSSI THROTTLE CONTROL ECT HIS WILL TO WIN AND BAYLISS DO OR DIE ATTITUDE IT WOULDNT LAST A CORNER LET ALONE A LAP. TWO GREATS BUT ROSSI THE GREATEST. HIS RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 10:17
DEFINATLY WONT MAKE THE 1ST CORNER. HAGA ON THE DUKE NEXT YEAR SHOULD BE INTERESTING. JONNY REA TOP THREE FINISH NEXT YEAR. KNOWS THE TRACKS KAL FOR SUPERSPORT TITLE
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 12:20
WHY ARE YOU TYPING IN CAPS PEOPLE CAN READ IN LOWER CASE. Yeah i think bayliss would def win 2006 says it all.
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 12:48
Rossi would have the edge for sure. Bayliss would be a lot closer on the Superbike than he would be on a Moto GP bike, but for me, Rossi is the superior racer. JONNY REA TOP THREE FINISH NEXT YEAR. KNOWS THE TRACKS KAL FOR SUPERSPORT TITLE
I'd love to see them both achieve this.
I think Jonny Rea is defo capable of stepping onto the podium next year (as is Leon Haslam and Shakey), but putting a run together that sees him third in the Championship at the end of the year, I am unsure about. I think Crutchlow can win, but with Ant West and Pitt there again next year, I think he would do well to finish above one of these guys in the Championship. Also, watch out for Lascorz and Laverty next year...... I am looking forward to WSS as much as the SBK, it's going to be immense!!
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 12:51
I reckon people are very confused. As good as Bayliss is, Rossi is a better racer full stop. They did race together. 45 times in fact and Bayliss won once. Job jobbed. Bayliss won 3 SBK titles and all of them on the best bike for that year. He raced in MotoGP did 45 GPs and got 1 win. He lost WSB crowns to Colin Edwards and James Toseland even when he was on the/one of the best bikes. Rossi has won 125, 250, 500, and MotoGP titles. 8 of them in total. He has won more GP's than anyone ever. And even won the title having switched from the best bike to an also ran who previously hadn't come anywhere since Rainey in 92. He's latest title wasn't on the best bike either, and the Stoner battles show is up for some elbow bashing. You get the feeling from teams who Rossi has worked for that he could go to Kawasaki, or Suzuki, Ducati etc and be challenging if not winning titles. If Bayliss did the same I don't think he'd be anywhere near as close. Rossi took Yamaha from no race wins in years to a win first time out. If Bayliss was that good, he would have succeeded in MotoGP. Racing is as much about development as riding. Again it says it all. Its a bit like the old Foggy/Doohan arguments it will never be resolved cos they will never race together now but when they did there was one clear winner.
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 13:23
I reckon people are very confused. As good as Bayliss is, Rossi is a better racer full stop. They did race together. 45 times in fact and Bayliss won once. Job jobbed. Bayliss won 3 SBK titles and all of them on the best bike for that year. He raced in MotoGP did 45 GPs and got 1 win. He lost WSB crowns to Colin Edwards and James Toseland even when he was on the/one of the best bikes. Rossi has won 125, 250, 500, and MotoGP titles. 8 of them in total. He has won more GP's than anyone ever. And even won the title having switched from the best bike to an also ran who previously hadn't come anywhere since Rainey in 92. He's latest title wasn't on the best bike either, and the Stoner battles show is up for some elbow bashing. You get the feeling from teams who Rossi has worked for that he could go to Kawasaki, or Suzuki, Ducati etc and be challenging if not winning titles. If Bayliss did the same I don't think he'd be anywhere near as close. Rossi took Yamaha from no race wins in years to a win first time out. If Bayliss was that good, he would have succeeded in MotoGP. Racing is as much about development as riding. Again it says it all. Its a bit like the old Foggy/Doohan arguments it will never be resolved cos they will never race together now but when they did there was one clear winner.
+ 1
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 13:32
CouLDNT AGREE MorE supermofo the facts are the facts. you only have to read what colin edwards thinks of rossi to see he is a GOD. he can qualify anywhere on the grid and he is still the man to beat. AS FOR UPPER CASE lower case who gives a shit!
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 14:13
I reckon people are very confused. As good as Bayliss is, Rossi is a better racer full stop. They did race together. 45 times in fact and Bayliss won once. Job jobbed. Bayliss won 3 SBK titles and all of them on the best bike for that year. He raced in MotoGP did 45 GPs and got 1 win. He lost WSB crowns to Colin Edwards and James Toseland even when he was on the/one of the best bikes. Rossi has won 125, 250, 500, and MotoGP titles. 8 of them in total. He has won more GP's than anyone ever. And even won the title having switched from the best bike to an also ran who previously hadn't come anywhere since Rainey in 92. He's latest title wasn't on the best bike either, and the Stoner battles show is up for some elbow bashing. You get the feeling from teams who Rossi has worked for that he could go to Kawasaki, or Suzuki, Ducati etc and be challenging if not winning titles. If Bayliss did the same I don't think he'd be anywhere near as close. Rossi took Yamaha from no race wins in years to a win first time out. If Bayliss was that good, he would have succeeded in MotoGP. Racing is as much about development as riding. Again it says it all. Its a bit like the old Foggy/Doohan arguments it will never be resolved cos they will never race together now but when they did there was one clear winner.
+1 even if I think that Rossi had, for the best part of his career the best bikes (Aprilia 125/250, ironically made great by Biaggi, NSR and RCV) only the Yam was a bad bike, but he took most of his old HRC team with him and they knew what they were looking for and Yamaha had not been winning for too many years not to get their heads up.That said I think Rossi would have the upper hand but Bayliss would give him a good run for his money. Haga would not stand a chance,I'd like to chuck Stoner in for good measure thought.
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 14:26
As good as bayliss was in the 2006 motogp race he didn't really go head to head with Rossi as he unfortunately only covered a couple of laps before he crashed. add that to the fact that before the race loris capirossi was raving about the bridgstone front tire they had that weekend which was clearly better and an early indication of brigestone tipping the tyre war in their favour. I think Rossi would definately have him but it would be close!
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 14:46
nice post jd41 stoner is a whiner but the kid can ride check where the other dukes finish. marco is a top rider as is loris but as you say both got fu##ed by stoner. i think the kid fears nothing but losing ,he has the desmo twiching like the jailer out of life of brian dddd deaf and mad sir.but keeps it pinned like tony elias mad as shit pair of em. got to respect these heros on two wheels one and all.
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 14:53
marco is a top rider as is loris but as you say both got fu##ed by stoner. i think the kid fears nothing but losing ,he has the desmo twiching like the jailer out of life of brian dddd deaf and mad sir.but keeps it pinned like tony elias mad as shit pair of em. got to respect these heros on two wheels one and all.
I think you will find that Melandri and Capirossi got "fuc*ed" by the electronics. There is more to their riding than pinning the throttle and letting electronics sort it out, they aint throttle monkeys like he is. Yes, it does twitch, but what you can see there is the traction control saving his life. Stoner did nothing in any class before having that bike. Anyway, back to topic, Rossi to stick it to Bayliss, but a very close race none the less.
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 14:59
Haga would not stand a chance,I'd like to chuck Stoner in for good measure thought.
Stoner cries when Rossi slightly touches him, he would fu*king soil himself next to Nori. Nori would show him what a true psychopath is and I think you'll find that on the right day, Haga would rape Stoner.
yes,shame there's 18 of those days in a season.Don't get me wrong,Haga is great rider(Ducati would not have signed him if he wasn't) but Rossi,Bayliss and Stoner are just a tad better.Stoner had a tantrum at Laguna and apologised for it to Rossi publicily. Don't forget that Rossi in 2007 alleged that Ducati had a bigger engine and put petrol inside the frame.None of them is a particularly good loser.none.
True, unfortunatley, consistency has always been Nori's downfall. For me, he is one of the most exciting riders to watch.
Agreed Rossi hates losing, but, putting petrol in the frame?  That's news to me. I know he has moaned about the electronic influence closing the gap to the best riders and in his words, making the races "ugly", but I doubt he would go as far as to sabotage a rivals bike.....
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 15:02
Haga would not stand a chance,I'd like to chuck Stoner in for good measure thought.
Stoner cries when Rossi slightly touches him, he would fu*king soil himself next to Nori. Nori would show him what a true psychopath is and I think you'll find that on the right day, Haga would rape Stoner.
yes,shame there's 18 of those days in a season.Don't get me wrong,Haga is great rider(Ducati would not have signed him if he wasn't) but Rossi,Bayliss and Stoner are just a tad better.Stoner had a tantrum at Laguna and apologised for it to Rossi publicily. Don't forget that Rossi in 2007 alleged that Ducati had a bigger engine and put petrol inside the frame.None of them is a particularly good loser.none.
True, unfortunatley, consistency has always been Nori's downfall. For me, he is one of the most exciting riders to watch.
Agreed Rossi hates losing, but, putting petrol in the frame? That's news to me. I know he has moaned about the electronic influence closing the gap to the best riders and in his words, making the races "ugly", but I doubt he would go as far as to sabotage a rivals bike.....
yep..interviewed by La gazzetta dello Sport,the leading italian sport paper he said just that..hope more as a joke than anything else..anyway..back to the topic I think we all agree he would win 
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 15:08
I think the real point of interest is being lost here... Rossi is reported as saying "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." So what is the Doc's game? It seems Rossi & all the other GP riders want the 990's back with no fuel restrictions. It seems the Doc thinks the WSBK formula ( more grunt, more weight, less tyre, less electronics) makes for more interesting or "mad" racing. It seems that Rossi sees WSBK as a racers category rather than an engineers category like MotoGP and Rossi the racer wants to challenge Bayliss - the racers racer - to a race... for the fun of it. But I think there is a subtext, as always with Rossi. He is saying to MotoGP, "listen to what the riders want, its the same as what the fans want... real racing, not a corporate ego cup" Personally if the top end of the MotoGP grid moved to WSBK then that would be heaven on a stick. DFH
Posted: 03/12/2008 at 22:51
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