Suppo confirms Desmosedici GP9 has already been tested

The Ducati Desmosedici GP8 may have only made its race debut just over two months ago, but the 2009 version of the machine has already seen the light of day in testing this week.

Ducati have been using test riders Vittoriano Guareschi and Niccolo Canepa to evaluate an initial prototype of the GP9, with both the experienced development rider and his recently-injured colleague undertaking laps of the Mugello circuit in Italy.

Whilst Livio Suppo expressed his pleasure at the fact that the future machine is already being worked on, he was coy about revealing any specifics that differentiate the bike being tested with that utilised by factory riders Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri.

`We´re happy to have Filippo Preziosi and his team working on the new bike, and also to have not just Vittoriano but Niccolo able to ride it. Niccolo had an unfortunate accident where he was hit by a scooter when crossing the road, but now he´s back,´said the Ducati MotoGP Project Manager, tightlipped on details of what the Italian duo are currently testing.

`There are always a lot of rumours as to what Ducati are testing,´ brushed off Suppo. `We´ll see…´