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Old 15-Feb-2005, 15:27
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Bayliss - Not good news

Whipped this off crash.net

I hope he doesn't do it....

Honda's newest addition to its racing ranks, Troy Bayliss, has admitted to AAP that he is finding it difficult to adapt his new RC211V.

The Australian rider told his native news provider that his riding style was distinctively different to the way the Honda has been developed - and that he's been struggling to find speed from the machine as a result.

"At the moment the way it is the bike suits a smooth rider," he commented. "It suits a GP rider more than anything because they are used to using the clutch all the time."

However Bayliss was adamant that if he cannot get on with the machine he is likely to quit.

"There's no way I'm going to change my whole style to suit this bike and if I can't get it to work around me a little then I'll give it to someone else," remarked Bayliss. "You don't just change you're style after 36 years. I can't change myself."

Despite Honda's best attempts to provide a user-friendly 240bhp MotoGP machine, Bayliss admitted he was experiencing problems never encountered with the V4 Ducati - even though the 2004 Desmosedici had a reputation as being particularly tough to handle.

"I've got chatter from the clutch and off-the-engine braking and I never had this problem on the Ducati," he claimed. "I know this is a good bike and I've just got to get it sorted out. You could be more loose and aggressive with the Ducati. I've tried to smooth out and then I go slower."

Bayliss finished the recent Sepang II test over a second behind his 2004 Ducati, ridden by Bridgestone development rider Shinichi Itoh, and 2.5secs behind new team-mate Alex Barros - who criticised the Australian for trying too hard.

"He looks too aggressive," commented Barros. "Maybe the Ducati you can ride like this but I think he needs to change his style to ride the Honda. He is trying too hard, I told him to be more relaxed."
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