Troy Bayliss rode his Xerox Ducati to a relatively conservative third in race one at Magny-Cours in France to clinch his third WSB title, then retired in style by winning race two – if his retirement plans stick, his last-ever race.
With nine wins and 16 podiums, Bayliss also did more than his bit to give Ducati the manufacturer’s title in the 1098’s first season.
With 50 race wins, 92 podiums, and 25 poles during his WSB career, and titles in 2001 and 2006 to go with his ’08 crown, Bayliss has been one of dominant characters since WSB’s inception.
His 2009 replacement, Noriyuki Haga, wasn’t giving any early presents to his future employer, winning the first race on his Yamaha Motor Italia R1 and chasing Bayliss home to second in race two after the two had a monumental scrap.
Alstare Suzuki’s Fonsi Nieto upped his season results considerably with a strong third in the first race, while in the second with Haga’s team-mate Corser was third after a tough race, Hannspree Honda’s Carlos Checa was fourth, Ruben Xaus fifth on the Sterligardo Go Eleven Ducati followed by his teammate Biaggi.
