Source: Supplied.

Two-time MotoGP World Champion Casey Stoner’s fresh association with Ducati could see him test the Italian make’s World Superbike machinery later in the year, but this week’s final testing duties for WorldSBK remain with his good friend and world number two, Chaz Davies, and his Italian teammate Davide Guigliano.

The Ducati duo join the elite field of 25 for the final pre-season test Monday and Tuesday at Australia’s Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit, just days prior to next weekend’s opening round of the 2016 championship.

Speaking at the official MotoGP test at Phillip Island last Friday, Stoner said he was willing to “help out where he could” in his new role with Ducati, with whom he won his first MotoGP title in 2007.

“At this moment our main focus with Ducati is MotoGP, but down the track we’ll try to do a test or two with WorldSBK so I may be able to give a little bit of feedback that can help,” said Stoner who rode the Ducati at the Sepang MotoGP test in early February, but not last week at the Island.

“Someone else is always a good thing, but from what I’ve hearing Ducati has definitely made some steps forward from last year, and this can only be a good thing for a better shot at the title. At the end of last year Chaz was one of the most dominant, so this is going to make things very interesting. And when Giugliano was fit last year he was also very fast.”

Stoner is a massive champion of the WorldSBK category in terms of what it offers for ‘normal’ riders and has recently discovered first-hand how development in the production-based series is feeding through to the bikes on showroom floors.

“The perfect example is the Panigale I have been riding on the streets,” said Stoner. “I feel exactly where that development is coming from, and I am incredibly impressed with the amount of technology that actually goes into it. Compared to five or six years ago, I can now understand how the chassis, electronics and engine character really get passed down to the street bikes.”

Stoner and Davies, the reigning WorldSBK number two, are great friends, harking back to the days when they were racing against each other in the UK after Stoner left Australia to pursue his road racing dreams. Davies was third in both WorldSBK races at Phillip Island in 2015, won by his British compatriots Jonathan Rea (Kawaski) and Leon Haslam (Aprilia).

Davies, Giugliano and the rest of the 2016 WorldSBK paddock will take part in the final pre-season test at Phillip Island on 22-23 February, before round one gets underway on Friday, 26 February.

Entry to the 2016 Motul FIM Superbike World Championship, Yamaha Finance round, Phillip Island will cost $115 for a three-day pass purchased in advacne, $80 for a Sunday only pass purchased in advance, while kids 15 and under are free. On circuit camping is just $100 for four nights purchased in advance, with kids 15 and under free.

Advance ticket sales close 4:00pm Wednesday, 24 February. From Friday morning, tickets available at gate. Visit www.ticketek.com.au for tickets; or www.worldsbk.com.au for further info.