Source: Supplied.

Dual MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner returned to two wheels this week, as the Australian joined the Ducati Test Team at Valencia in Spain.

Stoner was on track at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit between Monday and Wednesday during a private three-day test alongside Aprilia Racing.

The 31-year-old, who retired from full-time competition at the end of 2012, made his third appearance of the year aboard the Desmosedici after previously taking part in tests at Sepang and Catalunya.

It’s understood that despite his minimal mileage spent on the bike since hanging up his helmet competitively, Stoner was able to lap within a second of the current lap record during his most recent outing while developing Ducati’s current premier class entry.

Italian publication GPOne is also reporting that Stoner rode Ducati’s new Panigale V4 superbike during the test, completing a number of laps on Tuesday prior to its official unveil on 5 November at EICMA in Milan.