Ducati might be all fancy-pants these days, with Audi cash swilling about, and MotoGP success tantalisingly close. But it still has to get maximum value out of its investments. So, whenever you see a new engine coming out of Borgo Panigale, it’s worth thinking about where else it might appear.

That means the 939 motor from the new Hypermotard launched earlier this year will have to earn its corn elsewhere too. We’ve already seen the first of its new homes - the Supersport 939 was half-unveiled at the World Ducati Week shindig over the summer. Harking back to the old Supersport range, the new bike will be a lightweight, entry-level light sportsbike, giving an easier entry into Ducati living than the frankly-bonkers 1299 Panigale or highly-strung 959 Panigale superbikes. That 939 engine from the Hypermotard, putting out about 110bhp from 937cc is lighter, cheaper and easier to get along with.

And what’s this? A lightly-disguised 939 Multistrada, that’s what. Ducati’s Multistrada range is excellent, no doubt – but it’s also very serious indeed. A full-on 160bhp superbike motor, in a top-spec Öhlins-equipped chassis, with Brembo race brakes, full electronics installation, bells, whistles, kitchen sinks; we properly love them. But it makes sense for Ducati to offer a slightly less bonkers way into the Multistrada lifestyle. A lighter, cheaper, easier-to-ride 939 version will extend the Multistrada range downwards, and perhaps hoover up some of those BMW F800GS, Triumph Tiger 800 and KTM 1050 Adventure riders too.

Will we see it unveiled at Cologne next week? Probably - and if not, definitely at Milan. We’ll be there to see them unveiled, wherever it may be…