Troy Bayliss recalls his surprise one and only MotoGP victory

Troy Bayliss may be regarded as one of the finest riders to ever throw a leg over a WorldSBK machine but his record in MotoGP arguably remains one of untold potential.

A triple title winner on Ducati machinery in the WorldSBK Championship, it was his success in 2001 (1st) and 2002 (2nd) that ultimately earned him a move into MotoGP when Ducati made its long-awaited debut in the series.

A strong maiden campaign earned him three podiums and sixth in the overall standings, albeit behind team-mate Loris Capirossi, followed by a troubled season in 2004 that left him 14th overall and out of a ride at the end of the year. A solid but unspectacular MotoGP season on the Pons Honda followed in 2005 before Bayliss returned to the Ducati fold for 2006 and ventured back to WorldSBK.

A second WorldSBK title followed and with it a one-off return to MotoGP at the Valencia finale – in what would go on to be the final race for the 1000cc bikes – and gave glimpse of what the paddock was missing with a dominant victory from the front row.

It would prove to be the final race he’d ever start in MotoGP and his only victory at the highest level.

“2006 was an incredible year. We happened to win the Championship and then the one-off race in Valencia on the GP bike. It was the last year of the 1000cc Ducati, so the following year they went to the 800cc.

“We started the project in 2003 and I managed to come on board for the race because Sete Gibernau was injured.

“It turned out to be a very good weekend. Loris and I managed to finish first and second. The whole team was happy. Loris was happy for me too, he was a great teammate, I learnt a lot off him and have great respect for him. It was awesome.”

Despite having just the one MotoGP win to his name, Bayliss would end his WorldSBK career with three titles and 52 wins from 152 starts.