The Ducati 1098 F08, Ducati's future World Superbike challenger, made its public debut at the Misano World Circuit in Italy yesterday with a number of demonstration laps in front of over 50,000 spectators at WDW World Ducati Week 2007.

Two-times World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss was given the honour of demonstrating the 1098 F08 machine, which is still in its factory development stage, sporting black carbon-fibre bodywork and aluminium fuel-tank.

The 1098 F08 has been undergoing development work at Mugello in the hands of the Ducati Xerox Junior Team's young Superstock riders Niccolò Canepa and Domenico Colucci, but for the Misano spectators this was the bike’s public debut.

“I just saw the new 1098 for the first time yesterday” declared Troy. “It looks and feels good and although it clearly doesn’t feel like home after a couple of laps, I’m sure Ducati are moving in the right direction and it will be soon. I’ve still got a few things to concentrate on at the moment, like winning this year’s title, but I’m really looking forward to testing the bike at a quieter moment in the future.”

The 1098 F08, which will replace the 999, complies with the draft regulations for the World Superbike Championship issued by the FIM two weeks ago. In particular engine specifications are much closer to the road version than on the 999. For example, the con-rods, the crankshaft and the rocker arms are all standard components.

As for the bike itself, the level of elaboration is similar to the F07 and in particular the frame is identical to the road bike, while the swing-arm, front and rear suspensions and exhausts can be modified.