After over 18 months away from riding a MotoGP bike, former World Championship runner-up Sete Gibernau will make his return to action next week with Ducati. The Spaniard will test both the Desmosedici GP8 and GP9 at the Mugello circuit, alongside official test rider Vittoriano Guareschi.
The possibility of Gibernau aiding the Italian factory´s development program was raised last weekend, when the retired rider was present in the paddock at the Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya. Ducati were receptive to the offer, and will gather data and feedback from Gibernau in a three day run from June 17th-19th.
I´m honoured by this possibility that Ducati has given me,´ said Gibernau. `I´m very excited and I´m in perfect shape, even if it has been a while since I have been on a GP bike. It is just a test but I´ll give my absolute maximum. I can´t wait to enjoy once again the feeling of bringing a MotoGP machine to its limit.´
Gibernau´s last ride with Ducati machinery was in October 2006, at the Portuguese round of his solitary year with the Italian factory. An injury suffered in a collision with current Ducati Marlboro rider Casey Stoner drew his season to a premature end on that occasion, and the veteran announced his retirement soon after.
`We were happy to see Sete so excited at the possibility of riding a MotoGP bike again, and it was this enthusiasm that led to the possibility of organising this test together´, said General Director of Ducati Corse Filippo Preziosi, present in Catalunya to watch the first regular rider tests of the GP9. He also hailed the progression afforded by the addition of Gibernau to the testing lineup.
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