Troy Bayliss joined the pinnacle of motorcycle racing as part of the Ducati team in 2003 after many successful seasons in World Superbike. Bayliss began racing at the relatively late age of 22, competing domestically then winning the British Superbike series in 1999 and becoming World Superbike Champion in 2001. The unassuming Aussie made his MotoGP debut in 2003 with Ducati, ending a commendable 6th in the standings with three podiums. He departed from the Italian factory at the end of 2004, joining Pons Honda for 2005 but suffering a severely broken arm and missing the last six races of his last full time season in MotoGP. Bayliss replaced an injured Sete Gibernau for the last race of 2006 in Valencia, where he qualified 2nd and won the race.