Bayliss back after 'mafia punishment'!

Reigning double World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will return to action this weekend at Valencia, despite suffering painful 'mafia punishment' type injuries last time out at Donington Park.

The Ducati Xerox star fell whilst leading race one at the British track, trapping his little finger under the bike - forcing a subsequent amputation - and sustaining a heavy hit in a rather delicate area...

"I've had many worse crashes over the years, this one was just unlucky as far as losing a finger goes. If you looked at me you wouldn't think I'd been in a motorbike accident, you'd think I hadn't paid some bill and the mafia had come and chopped one finger off with a pair of scissors and hit my nuts with a hammer because I haven't got another mark on my body!" smiled the Aussie.

"I'm feeling OK but the situation is a bit unknown until I get on the bike" declared Troy. "I've got to be careful not to hit myself down below obviously but the hand feels good. It's certainly going to be different, after all I've only been racing with my little finger for the last twenty years!"

Bayliss will start Sunday's Valencia races 51 points behind championship leader James Toseland.