Round 1 of the 2025 MOTUL FIM WorldSBK season kicked off at the Phillip Island Circuit from February 21 - 23.

Aussie WorldSSP rider Oli Bayliss delivered a consistent performance with his new team, PTR Triumph Racing, placing seventh in both Race 1 and Race 2 (currently placing him fourth in the riders' championship with 18 points).

The Advertiser sat down with Oli for a quick chat over the race weekend.

Q.How are you feeling about the 2025 season based on your results so far?
A."So far I feel really comfortable with the team.
"It was a bit tough with yesterday's race (Race 1), I was just hanging onto the front group and couldn't really make any moves from there, but all in all it's the closest I've been to the front and I think we're going to have a really good season."

Q.Would you say the island is an easier or tougher track to race on?
A. "It's probably one of the best tracks to race on.
"It's like a vacuum, once you're in that (front) group it just kind of sucks you along.
"But to come here for the first time it can be one of the toughest tracks to learn, just because it's so fast.
"I wouldn't like to go back seven years and learn it again for the first time."

Q.In the WorldSSP season what's your favourite track?
A. "Definitely Phillip Island first and Portimao second."

Q.How much does a WorldSSP bike differ from an Australian Supersport bike?
A. "They're quite different, it's a lot faster.
"When I raced 600cc here in Australia my best time was 1'35.8 and on my (WorldSSP) bike last year I did 1'32.1 and we basically matched that on the test here with the Triumph.
"It's also different not just with the engine but also the electronics and the guys [team] working around you."

Q. Other than the track, what do you like the most about the island?
A. "Pino's. Thank you Rosa for creating a masterpiece."