Oli Bayliss switches teams for 2023 World Supersport season

Another piece of this year's FIM Supersport World Championship was put in place in late December with the official announcement that Australia’s Oli Bayliss will race for D34G Racing in 2023; a team headed by former World Superbike factory Ducati racer, Davide Giugliano.

“I’m super excited to team up with Davide and the D34G Racing team,” Bayliss told JUST BIKES.

The 19-year-old will enter his second year in World Supersport aboard a Ducati Panigale V2 much like what he rode in 2022 for the Barni Spark Racing Team, but with much more experience, thanks to a full season under his belt.

“To go into a season knowing the circuits, knowing the riders I’ll be up against is a massive help for me personally, as 2022 was a learning year,” Bayliss added.

In his debut World Supersport season last year, Bayliss scored four top ten finishes from 24 race starts, which saw him finish 16th in the championship standings.

For his second year in World Supersport, the son of three-time WorldSBK Champion Troy Bayliss says a top eight championship finish will be his target.

“If I could finish eighth or higher this year, I would be more than happy. Of course, I would like to battle for the top five, even top three in the championship, but I must not forget there are some very fast riders in the class, so it won’t be easy, that’s for sure.”

Bayliss explained that he’s looking forward to building on the experience gained in his rookie season and keeping his progression moving throughout the 12-round championship, which gets underway at Phillip Island on 24-26 February - The Grand Ridge Brewery Australian Round.

“It’s hard to predict what will happen in the season,” Bayliss added. “In saying that, if I could be battling for top fives, even a podium finish towards the back end of the season, I would be more than happy with that.”

The second year for D34G Racing in World Supersport will see Bayliss campaign for the full season, while Austria’s Maximilian Kofler will re-join the team for the European-based WorldSSP Challenge rounds.

Words & Photos: Russell Colvin