Could Troy Bayliss be returning for another shot at the Superbike World Championship? He was last crowned in 2008 - his final season of racing.

Australia’s World Superbike legend Troy Bayliss has hinted at a possible comeback to racing in 2011, following an encouraging test session aboard a developmental Ducati 1198 in Italy this week.

The two-day hitout at Mugello, the first time Bayliss had ridden a Superbike since he farewelled the paddock in October 2008, saw him lap very close to the current MotoGP lap record held by fellow Australian Casey Stoner.

Speaking to British motorcycle weekly MCN before the test, 41-year-old Bayliss said that despite competing in some car and bicycle races during retirement, he misses the thrill of motorcycle racing and intends to confirm his decision either way by the end of June.

“You’re a long time retired,” Bayliss told MCN. “I haven’t ridden a World Superbike bike since I retired so we’re going to knock the rust off at Mugello and see where we’re at.

“I’m saying I could come back and we’re going to have to see. It would make sense to come back with Ducati that’s for sure.”

Bayliss retired at the end of the 2008 season with three world titles and an excellent record of 52 wins in 152 races.

Ducati’s official World Superbike team has so far struggled to get some decent runs on the board in 2010, with Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio running sixth and 11th respectively ahead of this weekend’s round six in South Africa.