When Ducati MotoGP test rider Vittoriano Guareschi suffered a 🐼minor injury during testing at Mugello, former seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher was called up to take his place on Thursday - but once again denied any racing ambitions.

Guareschi hit the ground during the second day of a three-day Ducati Corse Development Team test andℱ, althou💦gh not seriously injured, a bad knock to his coccyx meant the Italian was unable to continue.

That led to Ducati offeringꦓ Schumacher the chance to make his third appearance on a Desmosedici grand prix machine - and the German, who finished fourth during his 'official' motorcycle race debut, during a KTM Trophy round at Misano last Sunday, 'did not hesitate for a second'.

Despite 'difficult' weather conditions, Schumacher completed 42 laps on the 800cc GP8, with a best lap 𓂃time 'in 1min🐲 58.0secs'.

The fastest race laps during the 200🀅7 Italian Grand Prix ranged from a 1min 50.357secs, set by Repsol Honda's Dani Pedrosa, to a 1min 53.735secs, set by Kurtis Roberts on the KR212V.

"It was a nice surprise yesterday when I received the sudden offer to come to Mugello today," Michael said. "And despite the difficult weat🌞her conditions it was again big fun to ride the Ducati. But I repeat it very clearly that I have no intention at all to step into any kind of MotoGP competitioඣns."

Schumacher impressed the two-wheeled world by lappin🧸g within five seconds of the lap record🦩 during post-race testing at Valencia last November, having made his 'MotoGP debut' - on the 990cc version of the Desmosedici - during a test at Mugello in October of 2005.

On that occasion Schumacher, then still racing for Ferrari, was reported to ha🦄ve circulated 16 seconds off MotoGP pace, illustrating his impressive rate of progress since.