Mattia Pasini back in test action for Ducati

Mattia Pasini has been handed another chance to impress Ducati having been handed a second test on board a factory GP9 in Mugello this week.

The Italian, who has won ten world championship races in the 125 and 250 classes, first tested a GP9 for the satellite Pramac team after last month’s Czech Republic GP in Brno.

Impressed by his performance in Brno, Pasini turned down the chance to replace Mika Kallio in the Pramac squad while the Finn was deputising for Casey Stoner in the factory team.

But he will take part in a three-day test at the Mugello circuit with official Ducati test rider Vittoriano Guareschi starting tomorrow (Tuesday).

The move has fuelled speculation that Pasini might be called upon to ride for the Pramac squad in the forthcoming Estoril GP in Portugal with no word yet on whether Stoner will return to action.

Although it is expected that Stoner, who has missed the last three races to recuperate from a fatigue issue, will ride in Estoril, there has been no official word on whether the 23-year-old is definitely set for a return in the October 4 clash.

But testing Pasini could mean he is in line for an Estoril appearance, with any continued absence by Stoner meaning Kallio would continue his secondment to the factory team.