Oli Bayliss to race DesmoSport Ducati V4R
After a successful introduction to the Ducati V4R during 2020, DesmoSport Ducati have now confirmed that Oli Bayliss will contest the entire 2021 Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK) aboard the DesmoSport Ducati V4R.
Despite his young age, Oli is more powerfully built than his three-time World Superbike Championship winning father Troy, and thus his frame is better suited to the Superbike than Supersport.
To my memory, this will make Oli the youngest Superbike competitor to ride for a top-flight team in ASBK since a young Craig Coxhell signed on with the Radar’s Team Yamaha back at the turn of the century.
This is an exciting development for ASBK, as the average age of Superbike competitors has been creeping up in recent years.
These days youngsters have been heading overseas before they even making it to the Superbike category here in Australia.
That the Bayliss family, despite their tier one connections and clear grounding advantages if they were to head to Europe, have instead elected to debut Oli in the Superbike category here in Australia is a great shot in the arm for the series.
Team Co-Owner, Ben Henry
“I’m really proud to be able to give Oli this opportunity. I’ve watched him grow through his entire road-racing career, and his performance at Morgan Park last year was enough for Troy and I to be confident in his ability on a superbike. It for sure will be another steep learning curve, but Oli is a smart racer, and if he applies himself properly he just might surprise himself and a few others as he continues to progress in 2021.”
DesmoSport Ducati Team Co-Owner – Troy Bayliss
“It’s pretty special to have Oli make his ASBK debut on a Ducati. He’s had two years racing the 600 now and learnt a lot, but we really want to keep him progressing, and after some good days riding the Panigale V4 R last year, he showed he can handle the bike. When it comes down to it, DesmoSport Ducati is a professional team and we’re motivated to not only win, but also grow as a team and Oli has proven that he’s fit, motivated and skilled enough to make this step forward in his career, so I’m looking forward to what the 2021 season has to offer.”
Oli Bayliss
“I’m really excited to move up to superbikes this year, and I really appreciate the faith that Ben, Dad and Ducati have put in me. The Panigale V4 R is such an amazing bike to ride, and the laps and races at Morgan Park last year gave me even more confidence that I can be competitive against Australia’s best racers. I’m training harder than ever and I can’t wait for the test, scheduled at the end of January, to jump on my DesmoSport Ducati Panigale V4 R.”
2021 Australian Superbike Championship Calendar
| Round | Circuit | Location | Date |
| Round 1 | Australian All Wheels Race Fest | Phillip Island, VIC | Feb 19-21, 2021 |
| Round 2 | Winton Motor Raceway | Benalla, VIC | Mar 12-14, 2021 |
| Round 3 | Wakefield Park Raceway | Goulburn, NSW | Apr 16-18, 2021 |
| Round 4 | Hidden Valley Raceway | Darwin NT | Jun 18-20, 2021 |
| Round 5 | Morgan Park Raceway | Warwick QLD | Aug 20-22, 2021 |
| Round 6 | The Bend Motorsport Park | SA | Sep 23-26, 2021 |
| Round 7 | TBC | TBC | Nov 2021 |
