Michael Schumacher is continuing to build on his two-wheel experience after staying back from the final round of the World Superbike Championship to test Troy Bayliss's title winning Ducati and Troy Corser's Yamaha.

The seven-time Formula 1 World Champion has made regular appearances in the motorcycle paddock since retiring at the end of 2006 but he cut a surprise presence at the final WSBK round in Portugal, choosing to go there instead of Brazil to watch former team Ferrari go for the Formula 1 title.

As such, he took the opportunity to conduct a few laps around the new Portimao circuit with both Ducati and Yamaha, adding to the test he enjoyed at Magny-Cours when he trialled for Ten Kate Honda.

Reports from the circuit suggest he was lapping the Yamaha at around 1min 50secs in humid conditions, five seconds off the race pace of Noriyuki Haga, while the times dropped to 1min 52secs on the Ducati.

Schumacher is expected to compete in the German IDM Superbike Championship next season, although his frequent visits to the WSBK paddock suggest a wild-card ride could well be in the offing.

For the latest pictures of Schumacher testing CLICK HERE

Elsewhere, while testing for 2009 officially gets underway today, Ben Spies and Tom Sykes got their first taste of the Yamaha R1 yesterday ahead of their debut in the world series next season.