Bayliss had to settle for fourth place in the 2007 championship

Former World Superbikes champion Troy Bayliss has been taken to hospital in Melbourne after breaking his collarbone in pre-season testing.

The 38-year-old Ducati rider suffered a similar injury in 2001 just after claiming his first world title.

"I've fractured the collarbone close to the sternum and have also chipped the end of the sternum," he said.

"It doesn't seem as bad as last time. I plan to return to Italy for tests and be back on a bike as soon as possible."

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Bayliss, who won the Superbikes title in 2001 and 2006, finished fourth in last year's championship behind Briton James Toseland.

His season was disrupted when he crashed in the European Grand Prix at Donington, having been in the lead.

He had to have part of a finger amputated as a result of the crash, but did not miss any races as a result.