Hahaha just seen it! Git! I'd say" great minds think alike"...but because it involves you and I, i think " fools seldom differ" is more apt!
Yes it's been mentioned on here twice I think. It's a pre production 11 digit frame number bike, not one of the first 5 prototypes Oh, and it's not an R engine - the early engines were stamped 999 instead of 998
https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/2001-999-works-prototype.54641/ You even commented on it @Cream_Revenge More info here on this particular bike... https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/999-year-2000-01-prototype-the-evidence.11329/page-12