Valentino Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team have dismissed his comments about riding in a World Superbike race against Troy Bayliss next year as a joke on the Italian’s part.

The Doctor was giving an interview to members of his native media and, in answer to a question about World Superbikes, he jokingly said he wouldn’t mind having a crack at Troy Bayliss in a one-off race, both on Superbikes.

His team have laughed off the comment, saying Valentino was just playing with the media, as he likes to do and there is nothing behind the comments.

A team spokesman said: "This was said by Valentino in an Italian interview as a joke, nothing more. There are no plans for him to compete in a superbike race."

Rossi is currently competing in the Wales Rally GB in a Ford Focus and was currently 33rd when we last looked.