Troy Bayliss to test Ducati MotoGP bike

Triple World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss will be back on two wheels again next week, the Aussie testing Ducati’s GP9 MotoGP bike at a three-day test in Mugello.

MCN sources though who spoke to Bayliss at Milan airport earlier this week, claim he could even get to test an early prototype model of Ducati’s 2010 MotoGP contender – the GP10.

Ducati traditionally begins track testing its future MotoGP bike around this time of year. Casey Stoner tested the carbon fibre chassis GP9 as far back as last June in Catalunya.

Bayliss has flown back to Europe to be part of this weekend’s Monza WSB clash where he will carry out various promotional duties for Ducati.

He will then go to Mugello to test the carbon fibre chassis GP9 machine, which Casey Stoner has ridden to second in the MotoGP world championship after three races of the 2009 season.

Bayliss will test the GP9 next Tuesday with Ducati’s official test and development rider Vittoriano Guareschi.

Ducati say the test will not be the last time that Bayliss will be asked for his input and feedback into the Desmosedici MotoGP project. The Bologna factory though insists he will only ride the GP9 next week, despite rumours he could ride the GP10.

Bayliss retired at the end of last season having clinched his third WSB title. He quit racing in MotoGP full-time at the end of 2005 after a tough year with the Camel Honda squad.

He made a sensational return to win the last 990cc MotoGP race in 2006 as a wild card in Valencia for Ducati.