Ducati 999. Feb 08

The Ducati Xerox World Superbike squad marked the passing of an era at the end of 2007 with the retirement of the hugely successful 999 from their racing lineup.
Since it made its triumphant debut in the opening round of the 2003 championship at Valencia with a 1-2 finish for Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus, the 999 has won three of the last five Riders' titles, with Neil Hodgson (2003), James Toseland (2004) and Troy Bayliss (2006). In that period Ducati also won three WSBK Manufacturers' titles, although in 2003 and 2004 points for this particular title were also earned by the venerable 998. The 999 won a total of 63 WSBK races in its history in the hands of eight different riders, Troy Bayliss racking up the biggest individual total with 19 victories.For 2008, the Ducati Xerox Team will take part in the World Superbike Championship with the new 1098 F08, which will also mark the last season in SBK competition for Bayliss.Since tentatively making an announcement last December, the two-time SBK champion has recently confirmed that this season will be his last, with plans to pursue four wheel motorsport options in the future.Bayliss's farewell season got off to a bad start when he fractured his collarbone on the final day of a pre-season test session at Phillip Island in January.