In battle of the Troys, Corser claims Bayliss is off the pace
WORLD Superbike Champion Troy Corser believes he has one advantage over World Superbike series leader and fellow Australian Troy Bayliss — speed.
Corser still holds the world superbike race-lap record at Phillip Island from 1999, an impressive one minute 33.019 seconds. Yesterday Corser revealed at the launch of the second round of the championship, to be held at Phillip Island this weekend, that he has broken that record several times during training but remained tight-lipped on the details.
"It was faster than 1.33," he said.
"The bike is working good, we've had great testing down at Phillip Island and we've improved on what we done there last year, so I know that we'll definitely be going faster than what we did last year," Corser said.
This weekend's race is set to be the battle of the Troys, with Bayliss first in the championship on 40 points after his first-round victory in Qatar last weekend, and Corser second two points behind.
After spending the past few years in Moto GP, Bayliss made a brilliant return in Qatar, coming second in both races. The New South Welshman admitted it had been a tough past 12 months.
"Last year was quite difficult for me," Bayliss said.
"Basically, my year was cut short with an injury, which I did back here on a moto-cross bike, but right now everything's back on track and testing has gone very well in Valencia and Qatar and it goes to show … last weekend we were up the front and this is exactly where I like to be and that's why you see a smile on my face, because it's all about being competitive and winning races."
Corser and Bayliss are looking forward to this weekend's battle, and Corser is not dwelling on his defeat in the opening duel, saying "it really makes no difference coming into this weekend what you've done last weekend".
Bayliss rides a Ducati 999 while Corser is aboard a Suzuki GSXR1000, with both happy with their bikes' performances to date. "The bike actually feels so much like my bike back in 2002," Bayliss said.
"Now we have Pirelli tyres and I've come to grips pretty good with them and everything's feeling nice, the bike has improved a bit, the motor has improved a bit, it's a bit stronger than I had in 2002 — it's basically the same engine, but overall the bike's a great package."
Corser predicts this weekend's race will be a close one. "Probably some elbows and knees getting thrown in there as well, that's what makes racing so much fun, you can get out there and enjoy yourself," he said.
Free home delivery and a chance to win a $16,500 Galapagos adventure*
