Ducati MotoGP bosses are giving away no details on the experimental disc rear wheel being used by Michele Pirro at Misano today only saying that is an innovative project for the 2017 season.

Pirro used the wheel for the first time in free practice three this morning and it looks likely to be part of aerodynamic improvements to replace the wings that are banned next season.

“It’s an innovative project that we are testing in preparation of the 2017 season. In Ducati we have several innovative projects and the development is constant. Gigi Dall’Igna proved already with the winglets how the Ducati Racing Department is innovative,” Davide Tardozzi told BSN.

“The decision to abolish them penalises us and we all know Ducati’s position. We continue exploring new ways and we are doing this at 360 degrees. This new rear disc wheel is one of these revolutionary projects. I cannot go in details as it is confidential.”

Disc wheels have been used in cycling since the 1980s and are designed to improve airflow around the rear end of the bike and reduce drag, and triathletes have been known to knock between 30s and two minutes off a 40km stage with their use alone.