Australian motorcycle racing superstar Troy Bayliss is back in competition again, but this time he will not have an engine or even a motor to provide power for him. This time he will be using his own mental and physical abilities to tackle one of the most challenging bicycle races the world has. The 50th running of the Grafton-to-Inverell Cycle Classic will take place on 23 October 2010 in New South Wales, Australia. The race is a 228 Km (154 miles) endurance event which pushes competitors up over 1100 meters (3609 feet) in elevation – an incredibly grueling route which riders must complete in less than 9 hours.
We all know the Bayliss history; three FIM World Superbike Championships for Ducati in 2001, 2006 and 2008, he mentored MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner, and four years in the FIM MotoGP Championship with Ducati and Honda. Since his official retirement, he has been traveling the world on behalf of Ducati and has even been rumored to be joining the Australian V8 Supercars series. With the four wheelers he signed with Triple F Racing alongside Dean Fiore for two long-
distance events.
For his attempt at the Grafton-to-Inverell, Bayliss has approached just as he did his motorcycle racing. He is fit and has teamed up with former Tour de France rider and Australian road champion Nick Gates as his coach and training manager. Gates and Bayliss have known each other for most of their lives, so the match is a good one.
Bayliss will face tough competition at this event, but Gates believes that at the pace he is riding now, Bayliss could get a top 10 result. If we have learned anything about #21, we know he will give his absolute best.
