Beloved former world champion tells fans he’s back at home and on the mend
Troy Bayliss has returned home and is making steady progress following the crash that left him with seven broken ribs, a punctured lung, and a collarbone injury.
In a message to fans, the three-time WorldSBK champion said he’s back from hospital and managing short periods on his feet. “Back home yesterday afternoon, going from bed to sofa and managing 10 minutes or so on feet before needing more rest, thanks to everyone for messages and staff at the hospital, Kimbo my private nurse at home, I can see she hadn’t sold bikes so things are looking good, also @suomyhelmets for keeping my mung head in as good shape as possible.”
The update follows an outpouring of support from across the racing world after Bayliss revealed the extent of his injuries earlier this week. The 56-year-old had only recently returned to riding after a broken left ankle, aboard a new Stark Varg electric motocross bike. Bayliss also included an image of a heavily scuffed motocross helmet in his update, hinting that the crash likely occurred while riding off-road.
Widely regarded as one of Australia’s most beloved motorcycle racers, Troy “Baylisstic” Bayliss built a huge worldwide following for his grit, speed, and fan-first humility. After winning the 1999 British Superbike Championship, he rose to global prominence with Ducati in WorldSBK, capturing three world titles (2001, 2006, 2008) and cementing his status among the series’ all-time greats.
His fairytale MotoGP cameo at Valencia in 2006—stepping in as an injury replacement and winning the race—remains one of the sport’s most iconic moments. Remarkably, Bayliss even staged a high-profile comeback at age 49 in the Australian Superbike Championship, returning with DesmoSport Ducati and proving immediately competitive with front-row speed and podium contention. Across a trophy-laden career, he became synonymous with Ducati’s racing heritage and later shifted into mentoring the next generation, including his son Oli, all while maintaining a close connection with fans.
