World Superbikes: Max Biaggi and Ruben Xaus to test in Australia

The 2008 Sterilgarda Ducati team of Max Biaggi and Ruben Xaus will test in Phillip Island at the start of January despite not being one of the official World Superbike test teams.

The FGSport/Pirelli winter tests are normally only open to one official team from each manufacturer with the focus on tyre development, but for 2008, Pirelli opened the test up to other teams.

Max Biaggi and Ruben Xaus won’t get the latest Pirelli rubber to test, instead they will use 2007 specification tyres, but will still benefit from valuable track time.

To ensure Pirelli could supply and ship enough tyres in time for the test, which takes place between January 8 to 10, teams were given a deadline in October to confirm their attendance, but only two teams replied meaning just Sterilgarda Ducati World Superbike team and the Stiggy Honda World Supersport squad will join the official test next year.