From a press release issued by Troy Bayliss’ publicist:

Round 9, 2002 Superbike World Championship
Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, California, USA
Event preview

BAYLISS ANTICIPATES HOT RECEPTION AT LAGUNA SECA

Monterey, California, USA (Monday, July 8) – The Superbike World Championship moves out of Europe and on to America this weekend, with Laguna Seca Raceway in California playing host to round nine of the championship on Sunday, July 14.

As is the case for every circuit that he races at, defending World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss sees the Laguna Seca circuit as another challenge. He may have won 13 of the 16 races held to date this season, but he never underestimates the performance of the local riders, especially when he heads to America.

He may not have won there in his previous two visits to the Californian circuit, but it was there that he scored his first ever SWC Superpole pole position on his first visit in 2000. Last year he finished fourth in each race, while Ducati teammate Ben Bostrom won both races in front of his home crowd. Bayliss expects the competition will be equally tough this time round, but will be pushing his Infostrada Ducati 998F-02 to its limit as he does every time that he takes to the track.

“I’m looking forward to going to the U.S. this weekend,” said Bayliss. “The weather should be nice and I just like the place. Laguna Seca is renown as a Dunlop track, so I guess it’s time for a change and put the Michelins on top. Things are going well for us this year, so I can’t see why we can’t run near the front at Laguna this weekend.”

Heading to America, Bayliss again sees arch rival Colin Edwards as not only his main threat during the weekends two 28-lap SWC races, but also stronger threat in his quest for winning a second consecutive SWC crown.

“I’d like to get a couple of wins there, but more importantly I’d like to finish a couple of places ahead of Colin (Edwards). From a championship point of view it would be nice to get a few guys between us so I can extend the gap between us on the points table that little bit further. But, as has been the case all year, I expect Colin to be there near the front as usual. Other than picking up two wins, the next best result would be to come away with an extended points lead over Colin.”

Laguna Seca always brings out the best in the wild card entrants. This year that list will be headed by the top two riders in this years American Superbike Championship, Nicky Hayden and Eric Bostrom. Further adding to the Australian presence in this years championship, two more Aussies in the form of three times American Superbike champion Mat Mladin and Anthony Gobert who are racing in America and are listed as wild card riders for the event. They will join Bayliss and fellow SWC regulars Steve Martin, Broc Parkes and Peter Goddard in a strong line up of Australian contenders.

“I think that there could be about six or seven guys going well there. I think aside from Colin, Ben (Bostrom) and Neil (Hodgson), there will be a number of wild card riders such as Nicky Hayden, Mat Mladin and Miguel DuHamel and Eric Bostrom who will be hard to beat. Laguna is one of the hardest places to win at because of the competitiveness of the local riders. It’s just like going to Sugo (Japan) or any of the rounds in England. It’s just going to be really hard and we have to come away with the best possible results to keep the momentum going in the championship.”

With eight rounds of this year’s championship completed, Bayliss heads to the American round with a total of 360 championship points, forty-nine clear of Edwards, with the pair well clear of third placed Neil Hodgson who has a total of 194.


LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY, SWC FAST FACTS

Circuit Length: 3.610km

2001 Superpole: Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati) 1:25.705

Lap record: Anthony Gobert (Vance & Hines Ducati) 1:25.185 (1999)


2001 Race Results:

Race 1 / 28 laps
1. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati)

2. Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati)

3. Troy Corser (Aprilia)

4. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati)


Race 2 / 28 laps
1. Ben Bostrom (L&M Ducati)

2. Troy Corser (Aprilia)

3. Neil Hodgson (GSE Ducati)

4. Troy Bayliss (Infostrada Ducati)



2002 World Superbike championship points (after 8 of 13 rounds):
1. T Bayliss 360; 2. C Edwards 311; 3. N Hodgson 194; 4. N Haga 182; 5. B Bostrom 165; 6. R Xaus 152; 7. J Toseland 107; 8. C Walker 97; 9. G Lavilla 84; 10. P Chili 77.