Michael Dunlop has tested a Ducati Panigale V2 Supersport machine at Jerez in Spain.
The 29-time Isle of Man TT winner rode the Milwaukee-entered machine at the first official World Superbike test of the year.
Dunlop experimented with a British Triumph in 2024, which he rode at the North West 200, twice finishing on the rostrum. He continued riding the 765cc machine in practice at the Isle of Man TT before reverting to his MD Racing Yamaha R6.
Dunlop won both Supersport races and clinched a double in the Supertwin class.
Last week, he was crowned the Irish Motorcyclist of the Year at the Adelaide Irish Motorbike Awards at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Belfast.
Yamaha’s Jonathan Rea began his winter testing programme at Jerez and was 13th fastest on the first day of the two-day test.
Aruba.it Ducati’s Nicolo Bulega, last year’s World Superbike Championship runner-up, was fastest.
Meanwhile, Australian Josh Brookes will return to the North West 200 in May after signing with the Jackson Racing Team alongside Magherafelt’s Paul Jordan.
Brookes is riding for the DAO Racing Team on Honda machinery in the British Superbike Championship and will also be Honda-mounted for the NW200 and Isle of Man TT on Superbike, Superstock and Supersport bikes for the Preston-based Jackson outfit.
Brookes said: “The team have got good bikes and equipment and are very eager to make the right steps to not only give me the best but also the whole team.”
Jordan is entering his second season with the team and is confident he can make another step forward in 2025.
“There’s a lot of experience in the team and that combined with the machinery and my own performance helped us have a strong TT 2024,” said Jordan.
“At the same time, I know there’s room for improvement and I want to keep moving forward and edge ever closer to the front runners.
“I want more as a rider and having made a big jump with the big bike last year, I’ll be looking for more of the same in 2025.”
Event Director Mervyn Whyte said he was ‘delighted’ to have two-time BSB champion Brookes and the Jackson Racing squad at the North West.
“Josh is a very experienced and talented competitor who is also very popular with the fans, and they will be as delighted as we are to have him back on the NW200 grid,” Whyte commented.