Gibernau had already been tipped to replace Melandri, perhaps as early as next weekend's German Grand Prix, even before his impressive second test.

Melandri, who has taken only one top ten finish from his first nine starts as a factory Ducati rider, seems to have lost all hope of adapting to the Desmosedici - and is rumoured to be heading to Kawasaki - but is now expected to stay until at least the summer break, which begins after Laguna Seca on July 20.

Gibernau is surely poised to take Melandri's seat should a separation be agreed, and it is hard to believe that the current situation can continue for a full season, but Ducati Corse's general manager Filippo Preziosi confirmed only that further 'opportunities' for Gibernau will be evaluated.

"First of all I want to compliment Sete and thank him for the great job he has done here this week," stated Preziosi. "It is always a pleasure to work with an experienced rider like Sete and his feedback will undoubtedly help us.

"His comments are very similar to those made by Casey and Vittoriano and this confirms that we're proceeding in the right direction. We will evaluate with him whether there can be other opportunities for him to work with us on track with our bikes. He has certainly demonstrated that he's still able to ride very fast," Preziosi declared.

Preziosi also hopes Gibernau's speed will prove to Melandri and Elias that the Desmosedici is not just a bike built for Stoner.

"I hope that this result will also spur on Marco and Toni," he said. "In the last months we have worked hard to improve the GP8 but I think I can now say that it is a good level and we hope that they too can get the most out of the machine in the coming races."

Guintoli has made gradual, but clear progress, with the Desmosedici in recent events, rising from the back of the field to the edge of the top ten.