Ducati Xerox team manager Davide Tardozzi claims Troy Bayliss is flattered to have been praised by MotoGP Champion Valentino Rossi, but insists he is not planning on participating in a much speculated head-to-head with him.

Speaking to Crash.net about the rumours of Rossi challenging Bayliss to a duel on Superbikes at Qatar, Tardozzi states that there has been no request to him about preparing a bike for the now retired WSBK Champion.

Reports in Europe claimed a deal had been done for Rossi and Bayliss to race one another at Losail after Bayliss won the Moto Sprint Rider of the Year award over Rossi.

Subsequently, Rossi's praise of Bayliss prompted him to state that he would enjoy challenging him on a Superbike, leading onto reports that a one-off appearance was being mooted.

Even so, regardless of whether this deal would come to fruition, Tardozzi insists it wouldn't happen in Qatar anyway because it would be logistically difficult for Ducati to prepare in time.

"This is something that Valentino said, but Troy was merely honoured, so I don't think it is possible to happen," he said. "If something like that happened then there are many things that would have to be decided first.

"Valentino would like to do it in Qatar, but for us this is not good. We don't want to do exactly what he will want to do, because it won't be possible.

"It is a nice thing though and Troy was very happy to be considered by Valentino as the top guy in Superbikes, so it pleases him that he said that. This is something Valentino wished to do, but while Troy was flattered, nothing has been discussed."