July 30th, 2008 by R.J.

As mentioned yesterday, Sete Gibernau may be called on to replace Marco Melandri as a factory Ducati rider.

Today, Gibernau completed two days of testing for Ducati at Mugello with the Official Testers Vittoriano Guareschi and Niccola Canepa who will continue testing tomorrow for the final day.

The Spanish rider, who is back in action since retiring almost two years ago, kept up an excellent pace, lapping consistently around 1:50.5 with race tires. Despite scorching air and track temperatures, Gibernau clocked an impressive fastest lap time in 1:48.9 with qualifying tires. A crash at the end of the day suggested to end the test early given the stellar performance already displayed during the previous two days.

So will Gibernau be replacing Marco Melandri as a factory Ducati rider? Ducati and Melandri already mutually agreed to terminate his 2009 contract extension. Obviously Ducati has something in mind for next season and Melandri isn’t part of it. If Ducati and Melandri can work something out, we may even see Gibernau called up before the end of this season.

Of the testing, Gibernau had this to say:
“It has been great trying again on qualifying tyres after almost two years. But the most important thing is that the feeling with the bike in race trim was perfect almost straight away. Despite the crash it has been a very positive test. I wish to thank again Ducati for the chance of riding again the MotoGP. We will see together whether and how there will be the chance to continue our cooperation. Today I have experience again the ‘thrill’ of a crash and.. I’m fine. I have decided together with Filippo not to ride tomorrow just because we are satisfied already with the good job we did in two days.”