In addition to Troy Bayliss, who has already been confirmed, Ruben Xaus and Ben Bostrom will form part of the Bologna manufacturer's WSBK factory team for next year. 

All three riders will use the brand-new Ducati 996 Factory 2001, the racing version of the 996R which was recently presented at the Munich International Bike Show, which is powered by a 998cc 'Narrow Head' engine.

Troy Bayliss and Ruben Xaus have already had a chance to get to grips with the considerable power of the new bike after carrying out development tests on the new bike behind closed doors in view of next season.

Australia's Troy Bayliss has been the revelation of the 2000 season. He became a full-time component of the World SuperBike Championship when the season had already begun, as replacement for Carl Fogarty, who was
injured at Phillip Island. 

Bayliss, who has already won two WSBK races and has proved to be a rider who is always capable of being up at the front, will surely be one of the favourites for the title next year.

Ben Bostrom, who began his WSBK learning curve as part of the factory team but who then continued in the Ducati NCR satellite squad, is confirmed for another season on the Ducati 996 Factory. In his second season with Ducati, the talented young American will be able to put to good use all the experience accumulated this season during which he has scored some excellent results.

Spanish rider Ruben Xaus makes his WSBK debut in what will prove to be an important career move. This year, he has taken part in the World SuperSport Championship, but due to his riding style and determination
it is clear that Xaus's place lies with larger-cylinder SuperBike machinery.

Xaus is highly rated by Carl Fogarty, who sees in him a rider of the future, especially due to his similar riding style, and is now ready to make the big leap forward in SuperBike. 

These three talented riders will spearhead Ducati's 2001 WSBK attack with the latest version of the all-conquering 996 Factory bike. All three will be called upon to win the Riders' title and confirm Ducati's
success in recent years with another victory in the Constructors' championship.