After an impressive debut on a 990cc d'Antin Ducati, fitted with Bridgestone tyres, Alex Barros will get his first taste of the new 800cc machine - which he will race during the 2007 MotoGP season - on Tuesday at Jerez.

The MotoGP veteran and 2006 WSBK race winner expected to ride the new Ducati GP7 for the first time in January, but has been boosted by the chance to make an early debut during the final test of the year.

"I wasn't expecting to test the Ducati GP7 with Bridgestone tyres as early as this," admitted Alex. "The next three days will be intense, as we will try out the new machine and also the full package that we will use during the 2007 MotoGP season. We will try to gather as much data as possible so that we can keep developing the bike and determine the best set-up. We will work very hard everyday and I will do my best to start the season in the best possible way. I want to say thank you to Ducati, for giving me the bike in time for this test."

Barros' team-mate Alex Hofmann will not be present as he continues to recover from surgery to remove metalwork from his foot and ankle, in place since his 2005 accident at Motegi.