Pata Ducati World Superbike new recruit Sylvain Guintoli took the opportunity to make his Ducati 1199 Panigale debut today at Donington Park when he took Scott Smart's MCE British Superbike for a spin.

The Leicester-based Frenchman was a guest at a Ducati track event and got talking to Smart's Moto Rapido team boss Steve Moore, who asked Guintoli if he has ever ridden one. When the answer was no, the bike was fired up and he pulled on to the track.

"He had some leathers and crash helmet in the boot of his car so we added some tape and out he went. Sylvain did about ten laps each in two session and came returned saying the chassis was fantastic," said Moore, speaking to bikesportnews.com this evening.

"It is a testmament to the amount of work we have put into the bike that an ex-Grand Prix rider really liked the way it handled and we are pretty pleased."