Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2
Ducati’s high regard for three-time World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss has been expressed with the creation of a special edition Panigale V2.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_5__UC308203_High.jpg?2WbAxqesXppglJSKWLTDbTsFndHG3lPW)
While it’s not due for Australian release until early next year, the tribute bike has been launched now, as 2021 marks twenty years since Bayliss achieved his first WSBK championship for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. Dubbed the ‘Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary,’ the special edition Panigale V2 is finished in the style of the 996 R that Bayliss rode to championship glory in 2001.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_11__UC308217_High.jpg?uKs50rwKbPD07pS1VmZxiaqV1njU8PdU)
Championship Style
Bayliss is said to have actively contributed to the livery for the special edition created by Centro Stile Ducati, which includes graphics inspired by the 996 R. Ducati Red as the main colour, of course, but this is accented with green and white in a tribute to the “Italian spirit” of Ducati, but also mimicking the green and white logo of Infostrada, Ducati Corse’s main sponsor in WSBK back then.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_24__UC308194_High.jpg?VRZtDLi8vkwdtuPzzUW0ViZTHkZz7ngP)
While there’s no Infostrada logo, a Shell logo does feature on the fairing, while Bayliss’s iconic #21 race number graces the sides and front.
Bayliss's autograph is reproduced on the fuel tank, while the billet aluminium upper triple clamp carries the bike’s name and individual build number.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_28__UC308195_High.jpg?EZ1UKG7ONI.svX.TSfwkNwhxD9adbgEK)
Upgraded Spec
As Bayliss’s first WSBK championship was won on a Ducati twin, it made sense for the 20th Anniversary tribute to be based on a twin, too, rather than the new four-cylinder Panigale V4.
The special edition is based on the Panigale V2 with its 955cc Superquadro L-twin producing 114kW at 10750rpm and 104Nm at 9000rpm, but it’s more than just a cosmetic package.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_6__UC308204_High.jpg?BiT11xY4YvYBZ9b3tL42VUA_I5f3GEky)
The Panigale V2 Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary has been upgraded with Öhlins suspension - NX30 front fork and TTX36 rear shock – for maximum smoothness and “the best performance on the circuit,” even though the bike is road legal.
![roy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_27__UC308198_High.jpg?ELcvhN08U6Pd618nKhr5GQb.YF0.O9E9)
Complementing the fully-adjustable suspension is an Öhlins steering damper that can also be adjusted to suit riding style and conditions.
Compared to the standard Panigale V2, the Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary is 3kg lighter (174.5kg dry), thanks to the adoption of a lithium-ion battery, exclusive single-seat configuration (passenger seat and footpegs are available) and an exhaust silencer finished in carbon fibre and titanium.
![roy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_59__UC308411_High.jpg?ZcMV1TrtvoEKr3fsftQnL8HYlCIrtso4)
Other features include self-cleaning brake and clutch pumps with smoke grey oil tanks, sport grips and a seat that combines two different materials. Edged with double red stitching, the solo seat features Bayliss’s famous number 21, with green and red bands alongside making up the Italian flag.
For track use, a Ducati Performance Accessories kit replaces the Panigale V2’s mirrors with billet aluminium plugs and removes the number plate holder.
![roy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_63__UC308330_High.jpg?bYDv1PWT1J8U2ozHGgjN0QCCVpt2REMV)
The electronic package for this special edition is unchanged from that on the regular Panigale V2 and includes cornering ABS, an electronic up-and-down quickshifter and traction, engine braking and wheelie controls (Ducati Quick Shift, Ducati Traction Control, Ducati Wheelie Control, Engine Brake Control).
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_61__UC308412_High.jpg?sKlzB.xFzLWUHCb3SaWYySMh75R_YwSX)
All these rider assistance features are integrated into the Panigale V2’s three Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Street) that can be modified using the 4.3-inch colour TFT screen. The graphics and interface design on this instrument display is designed to make menu navigation and settings adjustment intuitive, as well as immediate identification of the selected Riding Mode.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_29__UC308200_High.jpg?jqtYBGT51vLzCA5ogWOPHqVsE9hqdBta)
Aussie Special
While the Panigale V2 ‘Bayliss 1st Championship 20th Anniversary’ will be a numbered special edition, there appears to be no specific cap on that number, but a low three-figure production total seems likely.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_25__UC308197_High.jpg?ris_N2DchEcTwdfMcsn_QvkF1uURUhib)
Australian release is expected in early 2022, with suggested ride away pricing of $27,489 (NZ$28,995).
Contact your Ducati dealer for more details.
![roy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/Troy%20Story_the%20Legend%20of%20a%20Champion_Ducati%20Museum_04_UC290723_High_0.jpg?DLsF4aRjfggwNDy8dfcDzz78TBQG.SOe)
That First Championship
Troy Bayliss’s association with Ducati came about by accident – literally.
After winning the British Superbike Championship in 1999, Bayliss had moved to the AMA Superbike Championship in the US for 2000, but when Ducati Infostrada’s Carl Fogarty crashed at Phillip Island, sustaining what would be a career-ending injury, Ducati contacted Bayliss to fill-in for the next round at Sugo.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/Troy%20Story_the%20Legend%20of%20a%20Champion_Ducati%20Museum_03_UC290724_High_0.jpg?2Ptb996lyNxi50dcejZmXFTII5c6w7Xy)
Despite crashing out on the opening lap of both races, Bayliss was recalled again after Ducati trialed Luca Cadalora on the 996 at the Donington Park round. Fourth in both races at Monza, Bayliss won the opening race at the next round in Hockenheim, then a pair of seconds at Misano, cementing his position for the rest of 2000 and a full-time ride with the factory team for 2001.
Bayliss’s start to the 2001 World Superbike Championship season was solid but not stellar. His first race win didn’t come until Round 5 at Monza, which was followed by a pair of poor finishes at Donington Park. From there, Bayliss found his groove, finishing no worse than fifth in every race he completed and scoring two wins in the penultimate round at Assen that gave him an unassailable 52-point lead over defending champion Colin Edwards.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/0277_P01_Bayliss_box%20-%20Copia_UC41681_High%20CROP_0.jpg?hMAbqxSBBp2RJF7b8V0I7L4TECHAm7Ah)
Just as well Bayliss had that points buffer, as he crashed out of the first race of the season finale and broke his collarbone, ruling him out for Race 2.
After three seasons in MotoGP from 2003, Bayliss was back in World Superbikes in 2006, securing his second championship and achieving the unique feat of winning a World Superbike race and MotoGP race in the same season when he won the MotoGP season finale at Valencia.
After a third WSBK Championship in 2008, Bayliss retired, but made a one-off appearance seven years later, filling in for the injured Davide Giugliano at the Phillip Island round of the 2015 WSBK season.
![Troy Bayliss honoured with special edition Ducati Panigale V2](https://just-prod-assets.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/inline-images/PanigaleV2_Bayliss_1stChampionship20thAnniversary%20_14__UC308221_High.jpg?rmZQWLtweB9z5lG5cak547M3XxBnoori)
The bond between Bayliss and Ducati Corse in the Superbike World Championship delivered 52 victories, 94 podiums and three world titles on three different twin-cylinder bikes: the 996 R, 999 R and 1098 R.