High rollers may collide says Foggy

Carl Fogarty believes the pressure of securing the World Superbike crown at Imola today could see the contenders Colin Edwards and Troy Bayliss force each other out of the race.

The four-time champion insists the intense contest for the title – which has gone to the last round of the season with the Texan Edwards holding a one-point advantage over his Australian rival – could take its toll during the two races in Italy.

Fogarty said: "They will both be feeling the pressure and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if one of them crashes or if they take each other off. When it's all or nothing and everything is on the line you will do anything and take risks.

"Bayliss will not accept defeat, but if Edwards thinks he's beaten then I think he will sit in second and take it on the chin. Whatever happens, it certainly will be one to watch."

Fogarty, who will make his debut as team owner next season with Foggy Petronas Racing, is full of praise for the way Edwards has overhauled a 58-point deficit to Bayliss with a record-breaking seven straight victories. But he defended Bayliss from accusations he had squandered the chance to claim successive World Superbike titles.

"I rate both Bayliss and Edwards," Fogarty said. "They are up in the top three or four in the world. I don't go along with the idea that Bayliss has bottled it. He is not that type. He will ride on the edge and beyond it. Even when I was riding I would occasionally settle for second if there was a championship at stake, but not him: he's gutsy and rugged and usually gets away with it."