Displaced MotoGP rider Alvaro Bautista has been unable to find a ride, in spite of coming into a strong run of form on the Angel Nieto Ducati – but his career might yet be rescued by the Ducati factory with a Superbike ride.

The Aspar-owned Nieto team is pulling out of MotoGP next year.

In Austria, Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti confirmed that Bautista is being considered for the factory team in SBK, alongside Chas Davies, who has already been re-signed.

Should it come to pass, it would be at the expense of current second team rider Marco Melandri.