Ducati to promote Guareschi

Guareschi, who was a podium finisher in World Superbikes before joining Ducati as tester in 2001, will now take a more hands-on role in the garage than previously.

"I'm going to fill a void, in the sense that a team manager role hasn't existed in Team Ducati before," the Italian told Motosprint.

"I will be the link between the riders and [technical director] Filippo Preziosi. I will be close to the riders, I'll go on the track to see what happens and I will be an advisor to them. Finally, I will also manage the work in the garage."

Guareschi said that he intends to remain in his role as test rider, at least for the time being. The decision has been welcomed by 2007 world champion Casey Stoner.

"I have been the tester of this bike [the 800cc Desmosedici] since the beginning, so I know it perfectly," he added.

"In this regard, I can really give the riders a hand. This is why Casey wants me to continue testing too. I don't think I will do it for much longer though. I'm 38, so I will have to quit in a couple of years time."