Oli Bayliss in talks with Ducati over 2022 World Supersport move

Ducati Corse Sporting Director, Paolo Ciabatti, has confirmed that Ducati are hoping to bring Oli Bayliss, son of former three-time World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss to World Supersport for 2022. 

After announcing their return to the intermediate class, a category in which Ducati has completed 323 races in, the Bologna-based manufacturer looks to be another step closer to confirming their full Aruba.it Ducati line-up. 

With Moto2 rider Nicolo Bulega becoming the first rider to join the new team last month, Bayliss, who is currently competing in the Australian Superbike championship, is in talks with Ciabatti and Ducati. 

Speaking about the team’s second WorldSSP seat following round 15 of the 2021 MotoGP World Championship in Austin, Texas, Ciabatti said: "We've seen some riders coming from Moto2 such as Locatelli and Odendaal who have performed well and won races in Supersport. 

"Nicolo [Bulega] needed a change of scenery and having the opportunity to spearhead Ducati's effort will give him extra motivation. 

"At this stage it's not official, but we are also trying to get Troy Bayliss' son in the championship, we're discussing it with Troy. 

"Oli Bayliss turned 18 since a week ago and has won a race with the V4 R in Australia. 

"Getting him in the world championship, 20 years after his father won his first title with us, would be a very nice story, that'd be interesting for the Ducatisti."

If Bayliss is to join Ducati in World Supersport, it won’t be the Australian’s first appearance in the World Superbike paddock after he made a WorldSSP wildcard entry at the 2020 Phillip Island opener.