Publisher: Espansione Grafica

Thanks to his brother Fabio, a fan of Ducati motorcycles and Superbikes in particular, Gianfranco Avallone started following and capturing SBK World Championship races for posterity, along with his other brother Marco, who works as his assistant. It was there that he met an exceptional rider: Troy Bayliss. Mutual admiration developed between the photographer and the Australian motorcyclist: Avallone was struck by the exploits of this top sportsman, his honesty on the track, his constant willingness to cooperate with everyone and the great generosity he showed in his approach to life. He felt privileged to have almost entered his private world: in the preparations in the box before he got on the bike, in the free practice, in the qualifiers, and before the start of the race on the grid, breathing in the same air as him, the air of a champion. After Bayliss announced he would be retiring at the end of the 2008 season, Avallone decided to give him the Motorsportimages.it prize. He received this lifetime achievement award at Vallelunga, in memory of what was his last crucial race in Italy, along with the promise to produce a marvellous tribute, a volume of his photos, in order to fill some of the vacuum that Bayliss would leave in the world of racing and Superbikes, because he was what Superbikes were all about. This is a work that can be shared with many people: enthusiastic fans and rivals, because they too developed esteem and affection for him. The promise has been kept.

Publishing Date: 2009
Text: Italian/English
Binding: Hardbound
Pages: 144
Size: cms. 31x31
COL Pictures: 158
B/W Pictures: 8