Even if only one car in the middle of the grid, let alone four, stalls, the chances of it being avoided by those starting further back is minimal on the narrow streets of Monaco. Many teams not to mention drivers are so concerned about the potential unreliability of their systems that they will start their cars manually, but all it needs is one launch control to malfunction and the consequences could be grim.. Troy Bayliss has been asked to fill the biggest of shoes. Having been dragged from the relative obscurity of the American domestic superbike championship to fill the vacated seat of the injured Carl Fogarty, just weeks into last year's World Superbike campaign, the Australian now shoulders another heavy burden of expectation as he assumes the role of the Ducati factory's No 1 rider. Troy Bayliss has been asked to fill the biggest of shoes.
Having been dragged from the relative obscurity of the American domestic superbike championship to fill the vacated seat of the injured Carl Fogarty, just weeks into last year's World Superbike campaign, the Australian now shoulders another heavy burden of expectation as he assumes the role of the Ducati factory's No 1 rider. Judging by the banners visible during yesterday's qualifying for the British round of the world championship at the Donington Park circuit close to his former home near Coventry, Bayliss has at least gone some way down the path of following in those illustrious footsteps. "Troy Bayliss Our Adopted Son" proclaimed one Cross of St George. There have been times this year, however, when the series leader has had to tread gingerly.Bayliss has an animated, aggressive style on his bike, leaning at maximum tilt into the corners. The downside of that technique is that his right foot often scrapes along the track surface, with the result that the leather of his boots is quickly worn through. In the pursuit of ultimate comfort, Bayliss chose not to wear the titanium toe protectors that the majority of riders use.With the contact patch already paper-thin, a crash during qualifying in the second round at Australia in April planed the skin off two of his toes The bone was visible for two weeks "It looked like a busted sausage on the barbie It is still healing now. But it's only a toe, I've got a few more of them," he said, with the kind of matter-of-fact disregard for personal safety that inspires a fascination in his sport for those of us who wince at a mere stubbed toe.For motorcycle racers there is only one true anaesthetic, to win races, so Bayliss became oblivious to the discomfort during a double victory in the last round at Monza that took him to the top of the championship standings.His qualifying at Donington, however, has not been as emphatic, with two falls and a heart-stopping moment at his Superpole lap that cost him a place on the front row. Pole position was claimed by the veteran Scot Steve Hislop, a wildcard entrant, who edged out regular Neil Hodgson.
Third place was clinched by the American Ben Bostrom, despite his own handicaps of a dislocated shoulder and badly swollen knee sustained in Italy two weeks ago.Ironically, Bayliss is a former team-mate of Hodgson, winning the British championship in 1999 for a team which is still owned by his manager, Darrell Healey. "It's certainly different! But Darrell is the person who brought me over here, really looked after my family and got me started in my proper career. He believed in me and gave me a chance," said Bayliss.That lasting relationship, preferring tested allegiances to the transient loyalties that often accompany sporting success, reflects Bayliss' simplicity He is the approachable face of a paddock. "I might look so relaxed but my family know when a race is coming up because I get a bit edgy." That family is now a fixture in the paddock and has only recently been relocated to the almost obligatory base of Monaco.For a guy brought up on a wheat farm in the outback, the culture shock might have been debilitating. Troy Bayliss, though, is not the type to wrap himself in cotton wool..
