The Ducati Desmosedici->ke2137 GP15 is still knee-deep in development so if you were looking forward to seeing the all-new racing bike->ke2345 in time for the first testing session of the upcoming MotoGP->ke1254 season, prepare yourself for some bad news. According to MotoMatters, the development of the bike is still underway and unless something dramatic happens, the GP15 won’t make to the series’ first test run in Sepang, Malaysia this coming February 2015.

Instead, Ducati Corse boss Luigi Dall'Igna said that Ducati’s MotoGP racing team will be bringing an improved version of last year’s bike, called the GP14.3. Apparently, Ducati wants to cover all of its bases with the development of the new GP15, refusing to leave any stones unturned. The GP15 is, after all, a completely new bike, developed from the ground up with a new engine, or at least an upgraded version of the team’s desmodromic V4 layout engine. There have been no specific details on how powerful the engine will be, but all signs seem to point to a shorter engine with a modified gearbox to make the drivetrain lighter and more compact. The bike maker is also reportedly looking at using a heavier crankshaft in an effort to improve the throttle response of the bike ahead of its maiden season in MotoGP.

So cool of on the excitement a little bit. The GP15 is still scheduled to compete in the 2015 season of MotoGP. It just won’t make it to the first testing session at Sepang. The earliest it can make its testing debut will likely be on the second Sepang test later next month, but he safest bet might be the Qatar test session in the middle of March 2015.

Click past the jump to read more about the Ducati Desmosedici GP15 after the jump.

Why it matters

Obviously, not being around for the first test session in Sepang puts the Ducati MotoGP team behind the eight ball as far as having its riders, Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone, get acclimated to the all-new racing bike. If the GP15 makes it to the second Sepang test run, then it probably wouldn't be a big deal in the grander scheme of things.

The problem begins if the bike is delayed further as the 2015 MotoGP season approaches. It's important to remember that as an all-new bike, it's extremely important for Dovizioso and Iannone to get used to riding the bike ahead of the upcoming season.

It's the equivalent of training camp where all the preparations happen before the two riders and the GP15 are put through the real wringer when the new MotoGP season begins at Qatar on March 29, 2015. If the bike only makes its testing debut in March, that would leave the riders and the team with little time to work out the kinks of the all-new bike.

Hopefully, Ducati pushes the development of the GP15 so that it gets enough test run before the new MotoGP season starts. The team has high hopes this year and a lot of these hopes will undoubtedly rest on the shoulders of the GP15.