Michael Schumacher will fuel rumours that he is considering a switch from four wheels to two when he rides in a German Superbikes Championship race in Oschersleben tomorrow. The 39-year-old former Formula One world champion has tested the 800cc Ducati of Casey Stoner, the world champion, and has competed in a low-level club meeting. Now he is taking the next step on the ladder.

Speculation that Schumacher wants to make a new career in either MotoGP or World Superbikes has refused to go away, despite the best efforts of the seven-time champion and the sport's officials. Schumacher said that “at most I can race a scooter”, while Carmelo Ezpeleta, the chief executive of Dorna, the MotoGP rights holders, added: “If he does [change] he will be riding in a sidecar with his brother, Ralf.”

However, Schumacher's cover has been blown after his plea to use a pseudonym, Marcel Niederhausen, was thrown out by organisers and he will ride for Hauer Racing tomorrow.

It has been reported that Schumacher is seeking a wildcard ride in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in a fortnight's time and has been training on a private track in France. Schumacher did a 58-lap test for Ducati last November and was five seconds off lap-record pace.

Valentino Rossi, the five-time MotoGP champion, who could equal Giacomo Agostini's record of 90 grand prix wins at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans tomorrow, has backed Schumacher to make the switch. Rossi impressed during tests for Ferrari and came close to moving in the opposite direction in 2006.

—James Toseland had to settle for fifteenth place after yesterday's practice session for the French MotoGP race at Le Mans tomorrow. Jorge Lorenzo, the Spanish Fiat Yamaha rider, who is riding with two broken ankles, crashed in the afternoon session but managed to finish fourth fastest overall.

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