Image: Alex Gobert (Foremost Media).

DesmoSport Ducati has confirmed Cru Halliday will replace Mike Jones on the team’s factory-supported 1299 Panigale S at Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix support races this weekend.

Jones will remain with Avintia Racing Ducati in the MotoGP World Championship after finishing 18th in Japan on Sunday, prompting DesmoSport Ducati to call in Halliday for a one-off appearance.

Halliday’s arrival at DesmoSport Ducati comes just days after he was informed by Yamaha Racing Team that he won’t be re-signed for 2017. He finished fourth in this year’s Australian Superbike Championship after winning a race at Winton’s round.

“Racing with DesmoSport Ducati at Phillip Island will definitely be something very new to me, but it’s a real privilege to be in the team operated by Ben Henry and Troy Bayliss,” Halliday commented. “It’s a really professional team and I’m really excited heading into the weekend.

“After a strong final round of the ASBK I’m feeling really confident, so it will be a matter of getting comfortable on the bike, setting it up to suit the way I ride and also for me to get a good feeling with the Pirelli tyres – I’m sure I can get a good result.

“With practice, qualifying and two races on the first day, I just need to focus on the job, take it one lap at a time and get up to speed as quickly as I can. My results at the start of the year at Phillip Island were quite good and I’m really excited to see where it heads.”

Halliday will make his first appearance aboard the DesmoSport Ducati during the opening ‘Phillip Island Championship’ practice session this Friday morning. The domestic Superbikes are scheduled for four eight-lap races across the weekend.