Ducati or missile? - Bayliss faces sound dilemma.

The Ducati Desmosedici made its public debut at today's Valencia Grand Prix (picured) with three demonstration laps in front of 120,000 spectators prior to the final round of this year's MotoGP championship.

Surrounded by media from all over the world and an incredible crowd of spectators, 2001 World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss emerged from the garage at 10.42 precisely, followed shortly afterwards by test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi.

Troy was riding the 'twin pulse' version of the V4 bike, with simultaneous firing order, while Guareschi was using the power-unit with conventional firing order.

"We've been doing a lot of work in Ducati recently and today was really exciting because we put on a show for everyone to demonstrate that we are finally ready to go GP racing," declared Bayliss.

"So far the tests with the Desmosedici have gone really well, but conditions have not been that great. I've ridden the bike with both versions of the engine and all I can say is that for some reason the 'twin-pulse' really sounds like a Ducati, while the other one sounds more like a missile!" he beamed.

"We've got two different directions to go and it's only a matter of the stopwatch before we decide which engine configuration to use," explained the Aussie whan asked about engine choice.

In February 2002, when it announced the architecture of the engine to power its motorbike for the MotoGP championship, Ducati always declared that it would build the Desmo 989cc engine in two different firing configurations, but rumour suggests the 'screamer' configuration, rather than the traditional 'twin sounding' firing order is quicker.

Ducati Corse is scheduled to remain at the Valencia circuit next week for two day's testing behind closed doors on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 November with its two MotoGP riders Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi.

'Vitto' Guareschi will also be present, together with Ruben Xaus, who will continue tests of the Ducati 999 Superbike.