Bayliss frustrated by technical problems

Troy Bayliss frustrated by technical problems in FP1
Lowes sets the pace as Bayliss only manages one flying lap before gremlins strike the Aruba Ducati
By Trevor Hedge

Troy Bayliss’ hopes of getting plenty of laps in to familiarise himself with the Ducati Panigale R were dashed this morning as the Italian machine developed mechanical problems early in the session.

Bayliss had only done one proper flying lap, a 1m34.06, before gremlins struck the Panigale, relegating Bayliss to the back of his pit box.

The Australian legend held his frustration in check but, having not ridden a serious racebike at full pace for almost 12 months, a lack of track time will seriously affect his chances here this weekend.

The official line from Ducati was that it was a ‘calibration problem’ that called a premature temporary halt to proceedings for Bayliss.

Troy was the perfect professional and just waited in the pit box for the mechanics to work on the machine but there was no time to get him back on track as the Ducati Panigale R was being virtually disassembled in the pit bay as he watched on. From outward appearances Bayliss appeared calm and unflustered, but inside that Bell helmet there is no doubt his brain would have been turning somersaults…

World Superbike has had a single bike rule since 2012 thus there is no spare machine for Bayliss to lap on while his #1 bike was unserviceable.

Alex Lowes continued to display the same pace that has seen the British Suzuki rider top recent pre-season tests. Lowes was the only rider to dip below the 1m31s barrier, a 1m30.855 the best of his 25-lap stint.

Jordi Torres continued his impressive adaption from the ranks of Moto2 to put his Aprlia RSV4 into second place on the timesheets with a 1m31.214.

Following the Spaniard was another three Britons, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki), Leon Haslam (Aprilia) and Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki) rounded out the top five.