He may not have been able to return to testing a WorldSBK machine as yet, but Davide Giugliano has been busy this week at the EICMA motorcycle show in Italy.

Giugliano missed the last four rounds of 2015 following a heavy Race 2 crash at Laguna Seca on 19 July, putting paid to an already injury-plagued season for the team-mate to Chaz Davies.

This week, it was only passing moment, but Giugliano was nonetheless back on a motorcycle as he presented the new Ducati Panigale 959 at the EICMA motorcycle show.

“It’s an emotion for me!” he joked in front of the gathered media and guests.

WorldSBK testing continues next week at Jerez, where Chaz Davies will continue his programme for the Aruba.it Racing-Ducati SBK Team. With Giugliano all-set to join Davies in Spain, he spoke with WorldSBK.com moments after his appearance at the EICMA Paddock Show (Hall 11, Stand G06).

“Yes, it looks like I’ll be back on the bike at Jerez next week,” the Italian confirmed. “I can’t wait. I have a lot of adrenaline to take out of my system! I’m really looking forward to having some good fun on the bike.”

When asked if he is going to take it easy as he returns to the bike, Giugliano added, “Yes, for the first half an hour [laughs]! I do three sessions of training each day: one of physiotherapy, one of rehabilitation and the last one focused on strength. I am training partly in the gym and partly in the pool, but I still can’t go running.

“I’m still far from full fitness, but hopefully in January I’ll be back in decent form in order to prepare for what I hope will be a great season.”

26-year-old Giugliano has raced in WorldSBK full-time since the start of 2011, meaning 2016 will be his sixth season. Although a maiden race win still eludes him, the Roman has achieved five pole positions, 21 front row starts and nine podium finishes.