Casey Stoner confirms possible 2009 Ducati test

Reigning MotoGP world champion Casey Stoner has confirmed that he might test Ducati’s 2009 prototype machine in Barcelona next week.

Test rider Vittoriano Gaureschi is due to ride an early version of the Ducati GP9 on Monday in the first public outing of the new bike in Catalunya.

The bike has been tested extensively since March at Mugello and it is believed to feature a carbon fibre frame in a radical departure from normal Ducati design.

Stoner, who is due to test for two days on Monday and Tuesday, said: “I know that Vito is testing something for next year and depending on how successful that is there is a chance I might get to test the bike on Tuesday.”

The Aussie was not expected to make his debut on the new bike until a test session after the Czech Republic GP in Brno in August.