Troy Bayliss – P2

“So happy to get a race under my belt, it felt like we did two races with that split race, and under very dodgy conditions, you have really got to use you head a little, still very tough and stressful conditions, the second part was mostly dry, so the whole race I felt comfortable.

ASBK 2018 - Round One - Race One - TBG Image — ASBK 2018 – Round One – Race One – TBG Image

“After the first part I thought okay, well, I knew I was okay yesterday, and when they stopped after the first part I thought, well I am definitely a contender now, so just go about yourself and do what you used to do and you should be okay, it proved pretty much right.”

Troy Bayliss greeted by wife Kim and son Oli in Parc Ferme - TBG Image — Troy Bayliss greeted by wife Kim and son Oli in Parc Ferme – TBG Image

When you hit the lead what did you think?

“Basically, when I hit the lead that lap we had some spitting rain down in Southern Loop for two laps, Josh took it a bit easier then, he was real cautious, while I stayed at the speed we were doing.

Troy Bayliss tussing with Josh Waters - TBG Image — Troy Bayliss tussing with Josh Waters – TBG Image

“So then I hit the front, and I thought geez, now I am out the front I better be careful as we have some light rain, so I did one more lap took it easy, and there was no more on my visor for the next lap, so then I was going harder again, then it became a little bit of a dogfight, both of the guys I was riding with (Troy Herfoss and Josh Waters), have been Australian Champions before, they are both pretty switched on and prety good to ride with, even though it looked pretty wild, I guess, we were pretty good to each other.”

First time road racing against Troy Herfoss?

“We came in and were just laughing at each other, it felt as though we were racing dirt track at the Troy Bayliss Classic, we were all over one another in the race, we had a good laugh.”

Troy Bayliss and Troy Herfoss raced wheel to wheel in the ASBK season opener at Phillip Island - TBG Image — Troy Bayliss and Troy Herfoss raced wheel to wheel in the ASBK season opener at Phillip Island – TBG Image

That last lap…..?

“I messed it up, in the lead out of turn four, I got some shakes out of Honda, I ran wide and my whole lap fell apart from there. I thought I might have one more chance but I didn’t get it right through the Hayshed, and didn’t get enough drive on to turn 11, was thinking Josh might even get past me on the line but it didn’t happen.”

Intense or fun?

“Both. Intense fun (laughs).”

Troy Bayliss finished second to Troy Herfoss - TBG Image — Troy Bayliss finished second to Troy Herfoss – TBG Image

Troy Herfoss – P1

How was it being out there with one of your heroes?

“I had to take him off my hero list once I knew I was going to be racing against him! (grins) I am just glad I got that, ‘I’m racing with Troy Bayliss race’ out of the way early.

“Josh had done a great job out front, he had to ride at the front, it is always hard to push the limits when it is drizzling rain.

“After that World Superbike race mate, I have never been so embarrassed in my life, it just feels so good to put the Penrite Honda on the top step of the podium.

“Deon Coote has taken over the team this year, to be honest, if it wasn’t for bad luck we wouldn’t have had any at the moment.

“I said this morning, we could have a thousand failures and one win makes up for everything. I can’t even remember the failures now.