Former Ducati World Superbike rider Davide Giugliano is set to test for the Red Bull Honda team at the Lausiztring next week, according to German news outlet Speedweek.
Giugliano was dropped in favour of countryman Marco Melandri at the factory Ducati squad for this year and made a switch to the British Superbike Championship with Tyco BMW.
The Italian crashed during a practice session at Brands Hatch early in the season and was forced to miss several rounds due to injury.
During his absence, rumours that Giugliano was looking for a way back into WorldSBK picked up steam. Giugliano and Tyco BMW agreed to part ways ahead of the fourth round of the season at Knockhill.
Much of the WorldSBK grid will assemble at the Lausitzring – scene of the ninth round after the summer break in August – next week for a test, though Stefan Bradl will be in Japan preparing for the Suzuka 8 Hours endurance race.
With the Ten Kate squad enduring a difficult time this year with the new Fireblade, drafting in the experienced Giugliano to partner test rider Michele Magnoni will allow the team to carry out an extensive running programme.
The team will also be assessing how the Italian performs as it looks for a replacement for the late Nicky Hayden, who tragically died in May from injuries sustained in a cycling accident in Italy.
In the rounds at Donington and Misano following Hayden’s passing, the team only fielded Bradl as a mark of respect. At Laguna Seca, it returned to a two-rider team with MotoAmerica star Jake Gagne.
Gagne impressed on his WorldSBK debut, finishing both races in 15th. Despite this, his future in the world championship is unknown at present.
