Xerox Ducati will expand to a three-bike entry for a handful of World Superbike rounds following confirmation that 2007 Superstock 1000 FIM Cup Champion Niccolò Canepa has secured some wild-card entries.
The Italian has assumed testing duties for Ducati in 2008, mostly on the Desmosedici
MotoGP bike, after winning the Superstock title with the Xerox Ducati Junior team. He will now get the chance to try his hand at World Superbike racing with an entry into the Brno, Vallelunga and Magny-Cours rounds.
Joining
Troy Bayliss and
Michel Fabrizio in the championship leading team, Canepa is delighted to have the opportunity to get back into racing.
"I'm desperate to experience the thrills of racing once again, right from the start of practice until race day,” he said. I've missed that a lot over the past few months.
“I have to familiarise myself with the 1098 F08, seeing as I've hardly been on it at all this year. For this reason, the two days testing at Vallelunga in July will be very important, there I'll get a clearer picture.
“In any case I won't be doing the races with any specific aim. For sure I think I can do well, but my job will also be to continue with the bike's development on the track.”
Despite the fact that a guaranteed seat will become available in the team next season, Canepa played down his plans for 2009.
"We haven't got down to deciding anything yet, but I'm not worried. There's plenty of time to make the right decision. In the meantime I have to focus on the races and I can't wait for Brno.”
