Category: Ducati

1. Ducati riders thrill the WDW2014 public with the Drag Race by Tudor‏

   Posted on 9:33am Tuesday 22nd Jul 2014

   The breathtaking Drag Race by Tudor between Ducati riders on Diavel Carbons was won by Regis Laconi • WDW2014 is set to be a winner. Tomorrow is the last day and we’ll soon have all the “data” to see just how successful this eighth edition of the Ducati gathering has been. • A flood of Ducatisti from 56 countries and five continents has arrived to make this a truly memorable edition.

   Misano Adriatico, July 19, 2014 – It’s been yet another day of gusto, shows and thrills for the thousands of Ducatisti who, since Friday 18 July, have peacefully invaded the Romagna Riviera and the “Marco Simonceli” Misano World Circuit to launch WDW2014, the fabulous bi-annual rally that brings together everyone from the worldwide Ducati Community.

    

   The Misano paddock is packed with motorcycles and Ducatisti who have come to the Riviera from 56 countries and 5 continents, all sharing the same passion for Bologna-built Ducati motorcycles.

   The event is now getting ready for the last of the three days and WDW2014 is lined up to be a huge success, with attendance likely to exceed the 65,000 of the previous edition, clear confirmation of the brand’s strong appeal and the loyalty and fervour of its fans.

   In addition to the numerous activities in the event programme, today’s highlight was the Drag Race by Tudor which brought the track day to an end and saw Ducati Riders (MotoGP and SBK) and legendary names from international competition battle it out on powerful Ducati Diavel Carbon motorcycles. A unique, head-to-head showdown, made up of simple yet thrilling ingredients to quench the fans’ burning thirst for speed.

    

   Following yesterday’s first round heats, which saw the Superbike official test rider Matteo Baiocco and the ex Superbike rider Regis Laconi clinch a place in the finals, today the stopwatch declared the absolute winner. As expected, the competition came alive as soon as the riders involved in the Diavel Drag Race by Tudor were out of the pits. Troy Bayliss, Pierfrancesco Chili, Andrea Dovizioso, Carl Fogarty, Davide Giugliano, Yonny Hernandez, Andrea Iannone, Michele Pirro and Manuel Poggiali held nothing back and gave it their all to put on a stunning show for the crowds in the paddocks and grandstands at Misano.

   The qualifying heats were followed by the final round in which Laconi and Baiocco produced a thrilling clash that saw Laconi winning the duel against the Italian, stopping the clock at a time of 6”681 to score a photo-finish victory. Andrea Dovizioso, who signed the renewal contract with Ducati Team for a further two years, won the fight for the third position against Michele Pirro, the Ducati MotoGP test rider.

   After the intense day on the track, thousands of Ducatisti stayed around to enjoy the tasty “Rustida”, an awesome barbecue over 200 metres long organised on the track by the lifeguards who work along the Riviera. After this welcome break to refuel with food, it was time for the sensational Racetrack Show. The circuit provided a perfect stage for the terrific stunt riders show and a ride-past of motorcycling legends, past and present. To end the evening there was a late-night firework display, closing out the day in a crescendo of colour and sound.

   The grand finale is set for Sunday July 20 with thousands more enthusiasts expected to arrive from all over the world, plenty of on-track events, great shows, partying, fun and above all, genuine Ducati passion of the sort that only real Ducatisti know how to express and share at events like these.

2. Ducati Scrambler to debut at WDW2014 for the Ducati community

   Posted on 10:52am Thursday 19th Jun 2014

   The new Ducati Scrambler will be at World Ducati Week 2014, Misano 18–20 July

   • “Scrambler Beach Party” planned for Friday evening, 18 July
   • Ducati employees to star in the new model’s advertising campaign

   Borgo Panigale (Bologna), 18 June, 2014 – Following the success of the Bologna factory event dedicated to its staff, Ducati intends offering also its "community" an exclusive premiere of the prototype Ducati Scrambler with private viewings reserved for Ducatisti at the World Ducati Week 2014.

   Non-conformist, accessible and essential, the new Ducati Scrambler recalls the original values that made the motorcycle famous during the 60s and 70s, but in a totally new and contemporary style.

   From 18-20 July, the Scrambler will be shown at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” with a laid back, beach party feeling with music, surfboards and the yellow container which houses the prototype of the new model, ready to be revealed to the Ducati community. In this way, Ducati has created another reason for its fans not to miss WDW2014, as thousands from all over the world get ready for the action-packed three-day event.

   On the evening of Friday, 18 July, the Ducati Scrambler theme will take centre stage during the “Scrambler Beach Party”. Open to everybody, the party will recreate the beach scene recently enjoyed at the factory by the Ducati employees in Borgo Panigale, Bologna. The idea to celebrate the new motorcycle in true Scrambler style will be especially appreciated by all those passionate Ducatisti who have dreamed of the return of this model for many years.

   The video campaign, which is already online on the Scrambler website, features Ducati employees chosen during the special factory preview day. The impressive gesture further demonstrating the iconic brand’s appreciation for its workforce’s commitment to making a success of the new and exciting project.

   Videos related to the project can be viewed on the Scramblerducati.com website and content can be shared using the #scramblerducati hashtag.

   Early WDW2014 ticket sale figures suggest a record-breaking attendance and organisers of the eighth edition are working non-stop to guarantee maximum entertainment and a full dose of “red passion”. All details, including the event programme as it is updated, ticket purchase and more are available at wdw.ducati.com

   The event can also be followed via the dedicated Facebook page: www.facebook.com/worldducatiweek or by using the #worldducatiweek hashtag via @ducatimotor on Twitter or Instagram.

3. Millsport Ducati scores sensational Snetterton front row

   Posted on 7:41am Monday 16th Jun 2014

   A Ducati 1199 Panigale will take up position on the front row of the British Superbike grid for the first time tomorrow (15 June) at Snetterton. Jakub ‘Kuba’ Smrz has put the thundering red and white machine third on the grid for the opening race – it's the first front row start for the Italian marque in BSB since Michael Rutter qualified his 1198 Ducati fourth at Silverstone in 2011.

   The team has looked impressive since the opening round at Brands Hatch back in April, and with the Norfolk circuit suiting both bike and rider a good result was always on the cards this weekend. Since Free Practice Two on Friday the Czech rider has occupied third on the time sheets just behind the two main title protagonists Shane Byrne and Josh Brookes, and he was able to maintain this impressive pace as the pressure mounted in qualifying.

   Needing only a couple of flying laps in Q1 and Q2 to secure a spot in the top ten shootout, the #96 bike lit up the time sheets initially going fourth fastest, but improving in the dying moments of the session to grab that superb third place. It is a just reward for a number of key team members who have been working with the Ducati Panigale since it first came to the championship, in particular Steve Moore who now heads up the technical side at Millsport.

   Now with clear track ahead the squad has its best opportunity yet to score two top results tomorrow, and with nine events remaining in 2014, there’s plenty more opportunity for success.

   Rider Jakub Smrz said: “Since the first test we’ve worked really hard – there was a lot to do and a lot to improve on the bike. When we’ve been going well earlier this year we’ve had some bad luck with my crash at Brands Hatch but the pace has been there. We’ve had a long break and the team has worked so hard getting more information and going through the data, so we started this weekend with a very different setting.

   "Through every session we’ve improved the bike a lot – the team has done a really great job and the Ducati is really nice to ride. There are still a few little things that could be better for the race but that’s always the case – a bike is never perfect! But I'm really happy with what we’ve done, and finally we’ve proved that we can turn all three practice sessions into a good result in qualifying. The next step is to prove we can do it in the races as well, but I feel strong and the bike is good, so it’s now a case of it all coming together and if it’s all good, nothing is impossible!”

   Team owner James Murray said: “I’m over the moon – it’s just what the Ducati needed and it’s just what we needed as well. I know it’s only qualifying, so we’ll take one of those tomorrow as well ­– I’d be happy with that! Steve [Moore] worked hard with the bike last year and made some real progress and he’s working with us this year which is great.

   “We’ve got a world class rider in Kuba – he likes the Ducati and he’s good on it too. It’s been a case of continuous hard work, and now we’re at the stage where we just need to fine tune the bike so we’re starting from a good place every weekend.”

4. Michelin presents Ducati Monsters to 2013 Le Mans winners

   Posted on 10:00am Friday 13th Jun 2014

   Prior to the opening of the 2014 Le Mans 24-hour, Audi’s tyre partner, Michelin, honoured Loïc Duval, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish with an extra special gift for their victory last year in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro - a Ducati Monster 1200 each!

   Regarded as the motorcycle of choice for top movie, music and sporting celebrities, the Monster remains legendary for Ducati, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer, which is now part of the Audi Group. Michelin presented the 135hp Ducati Monsters to the deserving drivers on Tuesday of this 2014 Le Mans race week.

5. Ducati UK present Moto Rapido with Dealer of the Year award

   Posted on 10:10am Tuesday 10th Jun 2014

   Moto Rapido of Winchester has been confirmed as the 2013 Ducati UK dealer of the year. This award is the most prestigious of the awards given by the UK subsidiary and is recognition of the overall hard work and dedication to the brand. This independent solus dealer has been part of the Ducati dealer network since 2005 and is renowned by its customers for their enthusiasm, professionalism and passion for the brand.

   Steve Moore, Managing Director, Moto Rapido: “Dealer of the year is the most prestigious award from Ducati and the whole of Moto Rapido is thrilled to have this recognition. To win this award, every aspect of the dealership has to be to a very high level and the service and professionalism of my team is something I am extremely proud of. In 2005 we won ‘best new dealer’ and have since won and been commended for four other accolades. Consistently winning these awards is down to all the team here really going the extra mile and taking pride in their work. I have been keen to win this one since we started with Ducati. It will be displayed with great pride in the shop.”

   Tim Maccabee, Managing Director, Ducati UK “I am delighted that this award goes to Moto Rapido who are one of our most committed and pro-active dealers in the network. Steve Moore and his team are Ducati through and through and a credit to the brand, showing passion and professionalism both in the dealership and on the race track. Moto Rapido also has consistently achieved strong results helping Ducati to achieve its sales successes over the last few years.”

   Another notable award winner is P&H Motorcycles for the award for ‘Notable Contribution to the Brand’. This is in recognition of the continued commitment and professionalism from this long serving dealer.

   The full list of dealer awards can be seen in the attachment.

   To find your nearest Ducati dealer