Be Wiser Ducati boss Paul Bird has told bikesportnews.com this lunchtime he is considering putting out a third rider for the MCE British Superbike Shwodown rounds in order to assist Shane Byrne in the title chase.

Bird wouldn’t be drawn on who he had in mind to ride the third Panigale but did say it wouldn’t be Davide Giugliano, rather ‘someone better’.

With his factory connections, Bird might be able to pull in Ducati test rider Michele Pirro. Pirro has experience of the track, racing for the Pramac Ducati team there in 2013 before he moved into his test role.