Bayliss re-signs for Ducati, wants to beat Foggy.

World Superbike championship leader Troy Bayliss has ended retirement speculation by re-signing with the factory Ducati team for the 2007 and 2008 seasons.

The 37-year-old Australian has enjoyed a stunning return to WSBK this year, after three seasons in MotoGP, and is now closing in on his second world title. Thursday's announcement means Bayliss will again campaign the 999 in what looks like being its final 2007 season, before the expected introduction of a new 1200cc machine for 2008.

"I've thought long and hard about it because it's a big decision to do a couple more years. But honestly I still love riding the bike, I'm in a good position in this year's championship, I've got a great team around me and it's still not time to stop," explained Troy, who has 31 WSBK wins to his credit. "I would also like to beat Fogarty's record of race wins (59) so all this will keep me occupied for a while! The fact that I came back from MotoGP and am winning races again has also been a major factor in my decision. Basically I'm happy where I am and have no inclination to go anywhere else."

"We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Troy for the next two years," added Claudio Domenicali of Ducati Corse. "Regarding Ducati's participation in World Superbike, this will allow us to look to the future with confidence as Troy will be involved in all future development and testing work. The confirmation of Troy underlines the renewed commitment of Ducati in Superbike, a championship that we consider to be important and strategic for the continuous improvement of our road-going products."

Bayliss was catapulted onto the World Superbike scene by Ducati in 2000, when he stepped in as replacement for Carl Fogarty following his career-ending injury, and made an immediate impact - winning two races in his first year and taking the championship in 2001.

After just missing out to Colin Edwards and Honda in 2002, Bayliss then stepped up to MotoGP with the Ducati Desmosedici. A superb first season was followed by a difficult 2004 after which he was dropped by Ducati and signed by Honda Pons.

However, Bayliss never really adapted to the RCV and, after a serious wrist injury prematurely ended his season, signed with Ducati for a World Superbike return in 2006. Despite stiff four-cylinder opposition, Bayliss has enjoyed a brilliant comeback - taking nine wins to hold a huge 77 point lead over Yamaha's Noriyuki Haga with four rounds and eight races remaining.

By contrast, Troy's young team-mate Lorenzo Lanzi has struggled this season and his seat is under threat from the likes of Neil Hodgson - who is searching for a 2007 ride after Ducati's withdraw from AMA Superbike.