Image: GPAgency.

Supersport World Championship (WorldSSP) racer Oli Bayliss will be sidelined from the eighth round 2023 season at Most as he undergoes shoulder surgery in Australia.

Bayliss dislocated his left shoulder in qualifying at Donington Park, ultimately declared unfit ahead of race one before injuries sustained in the incident ruled him out at Imola after FP1.

The 19-year-old will undergo surgery on Friday in Brisbane, performed by renowned orthopaedic upper limb surgeon Dr Steve Andrews, and then will commence the recovery process.

“Unfortunately, this is not the type of message I was looking forward to writing,” Bayliss shared. “After the crash in Donington Park and giving it a try in Imola, we underwent further medical checks – as physio didn’t seem to lead to any improvement – and after careful evaluation, we made the decision to undergo surgery.

“I’ll have the operation on Friday in Australia to get everything fixed so it won’t carry it throughout my career. We’ll soon have a clearer picture regarding my recovery time, I will also have the recovery process there. I’m sorry to all my sponsors, supporters and the team. I will be back stronger, and I will keep you all updated.”

Prior to the crash at Donington, Bayliss had the opportunity to test at the Most circuit in the Czech Republic, claiming pole position and the race one victory at the third round of the 2023 IDM Supersport Championship.

D34G Racing team owner Davide Giugliano added: “It’s a real pity to see such encouraging on-track progress being halted by injury, but that’s also part of racing.

“We could see the upward trajectory Oli was on, so this is the last thing he needed. We wished there were other ways, but the most important thing now is that he gets back to full fitness, first and foremost for his health and then for his career.

“Now we wait and see how long it will take for him to be back and we’ll give him all the support he needs. We wish him the speediest and fullest of recoveries and can’t wait to have him back with the team.”