DesmoSport Ducati press release:

DesmoSport Ducati’s Troy Bayliss has capped off a magnificent return season to racing with a maiden overall victory at Phillip Island’s final round of the 2018 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) in Victoria.

Setting a blistering 1m32.621s time in qualifying to secure P4, three-time Superbike world champion Bayliss translated his speed into a promising third place finish in race one, which came thanks to a drastic set-up change ahead of the 12-lap encounter that later worked in his favour for race two.

The final outing was a thrilling affair for 49-year-old Bayliss, who engaged in a four-way battle for the lead, ultimately taking control of the field in the final turns to earn the race win and overall victory, crediting him third in the championship standings. He also claimed a new lap record of 1m32.194s in the opening bout.

“Today was the most fun I’ve had on the bike all year,” beamed Bayliss. “We made some really good progress because we tried something after the warm-up that I thought wasn’t going to work, but we did it and it actually put us in the right direction. I’m so happy! It was good to be part of the game, always great when things turn around and it gives me motivation to stay on the bike.

“I was thinking as I was going around in both races that ‘this is a damn good race’ – especially the second one as there were four of us up there. That’s what people want to see and it could’ve been anyone’s. I have to say thank to our DesmoSport Ducati crew and all the work they’ve put it in, it’s our last race of the year and our best result of the year!”

Team manager and co-owner Ben Henry expressed his pleasure in rounding out the season in such successful fashion, crediting the DesmoSport team in a rewarding and satisfying victory with the stunning Ducati 1299 Panigale R Final Edition.

“How good was that?” Henry exclaimed. “It’s been a really good year and we earned it, undeniably. It’s been a slog, but it’s been enjoyable, so it’s nice to finish the year with a race win and the overall at Phillip Island.

“It’s good to see a smile on everyone’s face and I’m ecstatic about it. It was good racing today and also really positive to have Troy take third in the championship on return to racing this season. It was just a good finish to the season for ASBK as a whole.”

Phillip Island marks the end of a fantastic ASBK campaign for DesmoSport Ducati, with Bayliss claiming a number of race wins and podiums along the way to secure third position in the final championship standings.

Like DesmoSport Ducati on Facebook, Follow @desmosportducati on Instagram and visit www.asbk.com.au for further information. Cube Performance Centre also has an exclusive DesmoSport Ducati section on its website, available to view at www.cubeperformancecentre.com.au/desmosport-ducati.