Third Superbike crown for Bayliss

Troy Bayliss secured his third World Superbike crown with a third place and victory at Magny-Cours in France.

The Australian, 39, who retires at the end of the season, sealed the title in race one when he finished behind winner Noriyuki Haga and Fonsi Nieto.

The Xerox Ducati rider then celebrated his success by winning race two ahead of Haga and compatriot Troy Corser.

Bayliss said: "We changed to a harder front tyre for race two. The grip was very similar but more consistent."

The veteran can now afford to relax going into the final two races of the season at Portimao in Portugal on 2 November.

"This last championship has been up and down the whole year," he added.

"Halfway through it, though, we were very confident that everything was looking good.

"I really wanted to win (the title) on three different kinds of bikes.

"I had a lot of pressure, a lot of things on my mind the whole year. It's been pretty strenuous."

Race One, Magny-Cours, France:
1. Noriyuki Haga, (Jpn) Yamaha, 38 minutes, 33.367 seconds
2. Fonsi Nieto, (Spa) Suzuki @ 6.223 secs
3. Troy Bayliss, (Aus) Ducati @ 6.875
4. Max Biaggi, (Ita) Ducati @ 7.237
5. Max Neukirchner, (Ger) @ Suzuki, 8.925
6. Troy Corser, (Aus) Yamaha @ 10.714
7. Carlo Checa, (Spa), Honda @ 16.176
8. Yukio Kagayama, (Jpn) Suzuki @ 22.661
9. Kenan Sofuoglu, (Tur) Honda @ 27.224
10. Gregorio Lavilla, (Spa) Honda @ 31.300

Race two:
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati, 38 minutes 33.579 seconds
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jap) Yamaha @ 0.909 second
3. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha @ 2.966
4. Carlo Checa (Spa) Honda @ 7.175
5. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati @ 12.822
6. Max Biaggi (Ita) Ducati @ 13.004
7. Yukio Kagayama (Jap) Suzuki @ 18.876
8. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Suzuki @ 19.512
9. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki @19.627
10. Roberto Rolfo (Ita) Honda @ 21.425

Championship standings (after 13 of 14 rounds):
1. Troy Bayliss (Aus) Ducati, 410 pts
2. Noriyuki Haga (Jap) Yamaha, 325
3. Troy Corser (Aus) Yamaha, 316
4. Max Neukirchner (Ger) Suzuki, 298
5. Carlos Checa (Spa) Honda, 284
6. Max Biaggi (Ita) Ducati, 235
7. Fonsi Nieto (Spa) Suzuki, 234
8. Michel Fabrizio (Ita) Ducati, 203
9. Riyuichi Kiyonari (Jap) Honda, 193
10. Ruben Xaus (Spa) Ducati, 171

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