Category: Ducati

1. Ducati TriOptions Cup provides spectacular showdown at Oulton Park

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 5th May 2015

   UK’s premier one-make series one of the highlights of the bank holiday weekend
   
   • James Egan scores more points in National Superstock 1000
   • Tough time for Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati

   The hugely impressive grid of 34 Ducati 899 Panigales was one of the stars of the bank holiday British Superbike Championship this weekend (2-4 May) at Oulton Park in Cheshire. Sunday’s TriOptions Cup showdown produced a thrilling finale, with 2011 champion Leon Morris securing his first victory of 2015.

   Behind the fast-starting Carl Cox Motorsport/P&H rider there was an incredible story developing with a number of series front-runners racing through from the back of the field. Having crashed on his out lap in qualifying, reigning TriOptions Cup champion Dennis Hobbs charged off the line on his Carl Cox Motorsport/P&H 899 from 34th slot to be 11th after just one lap of the picturesque circuit. By lap three Hobbs was up to eighth and behind Rob Guiver on the Hyside Motorcycles machine who was soon to become the talking point of the ten-lap showdown.

   At mid-distance Guiver began a series of circulations that repeatedly smashed the Ducati TriOptions lap record and hauled the #13 bike into contention for overall victory. By the eighth tour, he had passed Robbie Brown (Boast Plumbing) to take third position into Lodge and was soon on the back wheel of Marty Nutt (Penso/Ducati Coventry). With fantastic drive out of Druids, Guiver made another move at Lodge to take second place, and set about closing the 1.7s to Morris.

   There was more late drama to come, however, as Guiver's Panigale was running low on fuel and cut out causing him to run wide and over the grass at Hislops. Nutt needed no second invitation to sweep past the Essex-based rider, and holding the defensive inside line into the final corner he just managed to keep second place at the flag.

   Hobbs' superb race through the field means he maintains top spot in the standings by five points from Nutt. Morris is a further five in arrears in third with Guiver and Sean Neary (Paraplus) rounding out the top five championship positions.

   Leon Morris said: “After the disappointment of Brands that was really needed for us, we’re really happy. Marty came past me and I did a pretty hard move to get him back but I was committed – after that I didn’t see anyone. I think tomorrow will be a bit different but that is definitely a bit of a monkey off my back as we had a difficult opening round.”

   Rob Guiver said: “I am a bit gutted to be honest – starting from where I was it was a big ask to get the win but I was definitely after a rostrum anyway. I didn’t have a great start, I was aiming for something a bit better but got boxed in and pushed out wide. When I got Marty at the end, the bike started cutting out going down the gears, it wasn’t bad at first but then I had a big moment at Cascades and then going into Hislops it fully cut out and I had to pick it up and go across the grass. It turns out I was running out of fuel so I’m glad I managed to finish the race! It was a bit of a shame not to get second but it’s still good points and after what happened at Brands that’s what I needed!”

   The second race has been re-scheduled for the World Superbike Championship weekend at Donington Park (22-24 May), so fans can look forward to a triple-header of Ducati TriOptions Cup action. Click here to view the full championship standings.

   With the sun shining on today’s bank holiday Monday action (4 May), MWR Motorsports Ducati rider James Egan enjoyed a successful charge through the middle order of the hugely competitive National Superstock 1000 class, crossing the line in 14th to secure two championship points.

   The South African rider missed out on some valuable track time on Saturday with a small off in the damp first qualifying session. In second qualifying on Sunday he managed to secure 21st slot on the grid and making a strong start jumped up to 16th in the early running. It was then a case of closing the gap to a pack of riders ahead, but unfortunately just as Egan was closing in the red flags came out a the result was declared.

   James Egan said: "My expectations were probally higher than was realistically achievable this weekend because we haven’t riden the Ducati here before. The weather conditions set us back, in Superstock every session counts as you only get three chances before the race and we lost a whole session to the rain. This is the third round and we set aside three rounds for what would be in reality test sessions, and that’s what this was. We made changes and found a good setting but unfortunately I was too far back in qualifying and just played it safe as I didn’t want to have another crash. Although in the race I was faster round here than I have ever been before – it was probably a top 10 pace – and we had more to come, we have a good base setting and a good direction for the bike. Our testing session is over now so onwards and upwards."

   Egan will next be in action as the National Superstock 1000 series supports the World Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

   It was a tough weekend for the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati squad as it struggled to find the ideal set-up on the 1199 Panigale R superbike during free practice and qualifying.

   Czech rider Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smrz was one of the fastest riders in wet free practice, however with dry conditions for qualifying he posted the 13th quickest time for the opening encounter. With the huge BSB grid pouring into turn one, the #96 rider found himself squeezed onto the outside of the track and over the grass. With some impressive bike control, Kuba managed to keep the Panigale upright, but the excursion left him languishing at the back of the field. Making up a couple of places by the chequered flag he crossed the line in 20th position.

   Starting down in 23rd for race two based on lap times from the first battle, Smrz once again found himself in a battle for the top twenty, running in 25th for much of the contest. Swapping places with Cox, Parkes and Mackenzie, he eventually broke away from the pack and comfortably took the chequered flag in 19th.

   Steve Moore, Lloyds British Moto Rapido team owner, said: “Oulton Park has never been the best track for the Panigale and we didn’t quite find the sweet spot this weekend. The team has worked really hard, and now we need to focus on testing over the upcoming break. We're looking forward to Snetterton - it's a circuit that has been good for both Kuba and the Panigale in the past.”

   Jakub Smrz said:"I didn't really find my rhythm today and didn't have a great feeling on the bike. It was better in the second race, we were able to make some good overtakes, but now the focus is on Snetterton which is a track I like a lot. We were on the front row there last year so it should be a much better weekend for us."

   There is now a seven-week break for the British Superbike Championship, with battle resuming at Snetterton in Norfolk on 19-21 June.

2. Mixed day for Ducati at Donington Park

   Posted on 9:00am Tuesday 7th Apr 2015

   It was a mixed opening round of the 2015 British Superbike Championship for Ducati at Donington Park today (6 April). Problems in the main BSB class were overshadowed by a sensational debut performance from James Eagan in the National Superstock 1000 class.

   Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smrz returns for a second season aboard the increasingly competitive Ducati Panigale riding for the Lloyds British Moto Rapido team. It wasn’t to be an ideal start to the campaign, however, as a crash for Kuba in free practice put him out of contention for qualifying.

   Despite the best efforts of the team and a complete rebuild of the #96 machine following the accident, there was yet more bad luck in store for the squad as Smrz was forced to start race one from pit lane with tyre issues being discovered just before the green flag lap. Having made progress in the early running the Ducati racer was forced to retire with arm pump – a symptom of having had so little track time this weekend.

   For the second race of the bank holiday Monday Smrz made a great start and was up to 22nd from 28th on the grid after lap one. A small mistake saw him run wide, however, and gave him all the hard work to do again. He closed the mammoth gap of over 14 seconds to the pack ahead and began to make up places, but ultimately could only manage 24th across the line.

   Team Owner Steve Moore said: “The team have done so well this weekend so a massive thanks to everyone. The total number of laps we completed over the whole weekend is what we'd normally expect to do on day one, so actually all things considered it's not too bad. We had a bit of bad luck with a tyre that Pirelli has confirmed was faulty, and starting from pit lane always sets you back. That's racing though, the key is we completed the second race. Kuba ran wide on lap one but we said let's take the risk and push as hard as we can, and then use the rest of the race as a test session. We've got loads of data to go on to Brands Hatch, so onwards and upwards!”

   There were better fortunes for Ducati in the intensely competitive National Superstock 1000 category. Having signed South African rider James Eagan for the 2015 campaign, this weekend was expected to be something of a learning curve as the MWR Motorsport team enjoyed precious little testing in the off-season.

   Having had just a single dry session aboard the Ducati Panigale R prior to the weekend, the 24-year-old was able to secure 30th on the grid for Monday morning’s race. The performance of this new bike/rider pairing as the race got underway was something extraordinary, as within a few laps of the Leicestershire venue Eagan was already inside the top twenty.

   With his pace increasing at every circulation the Ducati continued to pass rider after rider, and by the end of the 17-lap contest Eagan crossed the line an incredible 11th.

   Eagan said: “The bike is just something else – I immediately felt comfortable on it, but the really exciting thing is that there’s so much more to come. Last year in this championship I was just about knocking on the door of the top group by the end of the season, but we’re already at that level after just a couple of sessions on the Ducati – it’s by far the best bike I’ve ridden! We were making big steps forward all weekend, and it’s just a shame we don’t get more track time – if I’d started that race 11th instead of 30th, who knows what might have happened!”

   The championship now moves to Brands Hatch in Kent on 17/19 April where in addition to British Superbike and National Superstock classes, the prestigious Ducati TriOptions Cup will blast off for its first event of the year.

3. Carlos Checa chooses the new Ducati Multistrada 1200

   Posted on 4:18pm Thursday 19th Feb 2015

   Production of the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 has begun; the bike will be available from the end of March in Ducati dealerships throughout UK
   • The former Superbike world champion came to Borgo Panigale (Bologna) in person to collect the first bike off the production line
   • The new Multistrada 1200 is available in three versions (Standard, S, and D-Air) with four available accessory packages (Touring, Enduro, Sport, and Urban), and takes the concept of the multibike launched in 2010 to new frontiers

   The new Multistrada 1200, presented last November at the World Ducati Premiere 2014, has won over not only the public of EICMA in Milan, but also a celebrated Ducatista: Carlos Checa. The Spaniard, who was World Champion in 2011 among the modified production bikes, riding a Ducati, expressed the desire to ride the new Italian multibike. The opportunity arose when production of the bike began, and Carlos took possession of the first model to come off the production line at the Borgo Panigale factory.

   “I already had the first version of the Multistrada 1200 and I saw right away that this was my ideal bike. When I saw the new model at EICMA I literally fell in love with it,” said Carlos Checa during his visit to Borgo Panigale. “I realised immediately that the bike had been completely changed and had taken an important step forward in terms of technology, safety and performance. I asked if I could ride it and the moment has come at last. I've already ridden a few kilometres and that's all I needed to notice that the new Testastretta DVT engine is a good step ahead in terms of functioning regularity and performance. The new electronic system, commanded by the inertial platform, has made it possible to introduce a lot of new elements such as ABS Cornering. I also really love the new instrumentation which provides multiple possibilities for connectivity, as well as the new handlebar controls which are more ergonomic and easier to use. For certain I'll be riding a long way with my new Ducati Multistrada 1200”.

   Carlos Checa and the new Multistrada 1200 were in Courmayeur last weekend, guests at the second appointment with the Winter Tour (the third stop will take place in Ischgl, Austria, 21-22 February, for info wintertour.ducati.com) and they'll soon be taking part in other adventures to come.

   The new Ducati Multistrada 1200 will be available in UK Ducati dealerships from the end of March.

   As soon as it was launched back in 2010, the Multistrada 1200 revolutionised the motorcycling world by offering, for the very first time, nothing less than four bikes in one: from super sport to long-distance tourer, from everyday runabout to enduro. Now, Ducati’s technological expertise has produced a new generation of Multistradas, bikes featuring the latest Ducati Testastretta DVT (Desmodromic Variable Timing) engine and a state-of-the-art technological package that sets a whole new standard in its product segment. The new Multistrada 1200 is the “multibike” par excellence, with cutting-edge technology making it far more than just the 4-bikes-in-1 offered by its Riding Modes.

   In what is a first for the motorcycle industry, the DVT engine features a variable valve timing system with independent control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts. This optimises engine performance throughout the power range in all riding conditions, thus ensuring maximum power at high rpm, fluid delivery, punchy low-rpm torque and low fuel consumption in full compliance with the latest Euro 4 regulations.

   The new Multistrada 1200 also sets a new electronics benchmark thanks to the Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), developed by Bosch technicians, which dynamically measures roll and pitch angles as well as the acceleration on three axis; with this information, the Bosch IMU enhances both performance and safety. For example, the presence of the IMU enables the ABS to include a Cornering system capable of controlling braking even on bends where wheel lock could otherwise cause skidding. On the Multistrada 1200 S it also enables control the Ducati Cornering Lights (DCL) in its full LED headlamp. Moreover, the Bosch IMU has allowed the introduction of Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC): this detects and corrects any front wheel lift to ensure maximum acceleration in complete safety. Like Ducati Traction Control (DTC), DWC features rider-settable 8-level sensitivity. Lastly, the Bosch IMU inertial platform also interacts with the semi-active Ducati Skyhook Suspension (DSS) Evolution (DSS) control system featured on the Multistrada 1200 S.

4. Andrea Buzzoni new DUCATI Sales and Marketing Director

   Posted on 9:18am Monday 2nd Feb 2015

   Cristiano Silei leaves Ducati to face a new professional challenge
   • Claudio Domenicali "We thank Cristiano Silei for his contribution
   • in achieving the record results in 2014"
   • Andrea Buzzoni will start in his new position on February, the 2nd, 2015

   Borgo Panigale (Bologna) 30 January, 2015 – Andrea Buzzoni (45) will become the new Ducati Sales and Marketing Director. His motorcycle passion and great experience in Sales Management and Marketing of premium brands will be a key factor for the growth of the Borgo Panigale Company.

   Andrea Buzzoni, born in Milan and graduated in Political Science, has gained his experience in the motorcycle world, working for over 17 years in Sales and Marketing. Former Ducati employee, he worked as Director in the Germany Branch from 2001 to 2004, then he was the General Manager for BMW Motorrad Italy for 10 years.

   His commitment in the racing world was also great. Firstly he has managed, for BMW Motorrad Italia, the projects of the Superstock and Superbike World Championship and subsequently, the official factory team of the World Superbike Championship.

   Ducati Vice President Sales and Marketing, Cristiano Silei (47), has resigned from the Company to face a new professional challenge.

   Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, thanks Cristiano Silei for the achievements and the commitment in these years of collaboration, and wishes him further success in his future career. Cristiano Silei has contributed to increase Ducati international expansion and has achieved record results. Over 45.100 motorcycles have been delivered to customers in 2014, this is the best result ever for the Borgo Panigale Company.

   Cristiano Silei has greatly contributed in the creation of the new Ducati brand, Scrambler, laying the foundation for further commercial successes for the Company.

5. A record year for Ducati UK and its dealers in 2014

   Posted on 9:29am Wednesday 28th Jan 2015

   · 17% increase in registrations vs 2013 with 2742 registrations

   · Increase in market share

   · 2014 best ever year for net sales through the UK dealer network

   · Best sales results since 2002

   · March, best ever sales month for Ducati in UK 

   Ducati Motor Holdings recently announced record sales for 2014 with Ducati UK and its dealer network contributing significantly to this overall result.

   For Ducati UK it was a record breaking year in many ways. The UK subsidiary achieved 2742 registrations - a 17% increase on the previous year with a small increase in market share. This result was accomplished with consistently high sales throughout the year registering ten year highs in every quarter with March being Ducati UK’s biggest single sales month on record.

   These results could not have been achieved without a strong dealer network that provided the highest number of net dealer registrations. Amongst the 32 strong dealer network there was also the highest ever proportion achieving more than 100 units.

   These exceptional results by Ducati UK and its dealer network were achieved with an incredible model line-up that included the award winning 899 Panigale. The 899 was the best-selling model in the range and narrowly missed out on being the best-selling supersports bike over 500cc in 2014. UK sales were also buoyed by the introduction of new models such as the Diavel, Monster 821 and Monster 1200 whilst maintaining healthy sales of the Multistrada and the bigger capacity 1199 Panigale.

   2014 also saw a significant increase in the number of Ducati models sold on finance as Ducati UK continued to offer affordability through the Ducati TriOptions scheme. Thanks to the brand’s high residual values, Ducati was able to offer low monthly payments across the range and this continues into 2015 with the Scrambler available at £95 per month and the top-selling 899 Panigale at £149 per month.

   Tim Maccabee was delighted with the UK performance in 2014 and commented: “The Motorcycle Market has been tough over the last few years but at Ducati UK we’ve been steadily improving our market position. I think customers appreciate the advances we’ve made, not only in product technology and desirability but also in the associated services such as finance packages and extended service intervals. Our dealer network are also going from strength to strength and join us in looking forward to an even stronger 2015 with the introduction of the new Ducati Scrambler and all new Multistrada and 1299 Panigale which are packed with state-of-the-art technology and features.”