Bayliss will take to the track prior to the start of the 125cc Grand Prix and complete a number of ‘demonstration’ laps aboard the exciting new V4 Ducati.

Bayliss has ridden the bike on two previous occasions, at Mugello (Italy) and Valencia (Spain), both of which were closed to the public and with a limited amount of information being released by the team.

After a hectic season of World Superbike action, this will actually be Bayliss’ first visit to a GP in 2002. He will not only get to do laps aboard the bike that he will compete on in next years championship, but will also be able to gauge first hand the level of competitiveness that his rivals are at.

“All I know is that I’ll be doing some demonstration laps aboard the Desmosedici before the start of the 125 GP race,” said Bayliss. “I’m not even sure as to how many laps I’ll be doing. It will be good just to be out there with everyone else. Ducati want to show that we are ready to go racing in the MotoGP and I’m very excited about it myself.”

“I think a lot of people will be very excited to see the bike out there,” added Bayliss. “It is definitely one of the best looking bikes out there and the sound that it makes is amazing. They will definitely know that there is a Ducati out there when they see and hear it.”

“The best thing is that after we do the demonstration laps at Valencia, we will be staying there to do another two day test straight after the final MotoGP round. That way we will have a true indication as to where we are compared to the others.”

Bayliss and his Ducati Corse team tested the Desmosedici last week at Valencia and again he is happy with the progress that they are making with the bike.

“We just have to get working on the feeling with the bike,” said Bayliss. The test at Valencia was quite good and we made more progress with the bike I did a lot of laps and was happy with the times that I did on race tyres. The power and speed of the bike is good, but we just need to spend time on the chassis and getting used to the bike myself. In a lot of ways it’s different to the Superbike that I’ve been riding, so it will take a bit of time to make some adjustments myself.”

Following the demonstration at this weekend’s MotoGP, Bayliss and the Ducati Corse team will remain in Spain to undertake a two-day test at the circuit later in the week. The team has a solid testing program set out for the off-season break, with Bayliss being heavily involved in all aspects of the bikes development.

The 2003 MotoGP season commences in Japan on April 6 at the Suzuka circuit.