Had a chat to him in brisbane at his bike show. On his way to ride around a flat track with some mates. Well that's what it looked like to me. Pull in and swap bikes and head out again. Cool!
Just don't get your hopes up. A wet and drying track where everybody chooses the wrong tyres and a Gobert-Bimota style fairy tale is never going to happen, right? Right? I mean it could, couldn't it?
It's highly unlikely that he'll arrive at the podium, but never say never I always say! His familiarity with the track and the Ducati will be huge. I want him to do well, but more than anything I want him to be safe, finish both races and have a good result. It will be a pleasure indeed to watch him work.
I could not think of a better replacement rider.
No, don't even go there.