Eighth edition of Ducati’s international WDW event to run from 18-20 July at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”

• Ticket pre-sales open for what is expected to be an event record attendance
• Massive three-day program planned for thousands of Ducatisti from all over the world
• Misano, Cattolica and Riccione collaboration takes Ducati party to the Romagna Riviera

Borgo Panigale (Bologna), 12 May 2014 – With the eighth edition of World Ducati Week fast approaching, preparations along the Romagna Riviera are in full swing to welcome the thousands of motorcycle fans arriving for the most highly anticipated event of the year - World Ducati Week 2014.

Hosted at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” from 18-20 July, WDW2014 is sure to be an exceptional edition. Full of Ducati “Red Passion”, the event achieved a record attendance of 65,000 Ducatisti in 2012 and now Ducati are working hard to paint the Romagna Riviera “Ducati Red” and break all previous records.

Tickets are now on sale on the wdw.ducati.com dedicated website and will remain available online until 13 July, after which they can be purchased direct at the Misano circuit venue from 17 July.

Two types of tickets offer access for single or all three days of WDW2014, with both tickets sub-categorised into “motorcyclist pass” (rider + motorcycle) and “passenger/visitor pass” (participants without motorcycle). Ticket entrance to the Misano circuit complex provides access to all WDW2014 activities organised by Ducati.

Meanwhile, at the Italian brand's headquarters in Borgo Panigale, Bologna, staff are also preparing to welcome thousands of WDW participants to the Ducati Factory and Museum. From 16-21 July the Factory and Museum will remain open to visitors from 09.30-16:00 (17:30 for the Ducati Museum) without prior need to make a booking. Further information on the guided tours and discounted prices for WDW2014 participants can also be found online at the wdw.ducati.com website.

The highly successful WDW formula presents a packed program across all three days of the event, including the participation of Ducati Team MotoGP riders, Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow in addition to factory test rider, Michele Pirro and Team Pramac riders, Andrea Iannone and Yonny Hernandez. The Ducati Superbike Team factory riders will also be present with Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies alongside Niccolò Canepa (Team Althea Racing) and Leandro Mercado and Ondrej Jezek (Barni Racing Team) who, with Fabio Massei and Alex Schacht (EAB Racing Team), participate in the Superstock 1000 Championship aboard 1199 Panigales.

To further highlight the participation of the official Ducati Corse teams and riders at the event, look out for the WDW2014 logo displayed in upcoming races upon the Desmosedici race bikes in MotoGP and the helmets of the factory riders in World Superbike.

As this year represents the 20th anniversary of the iconic 916, a long list of legendary riders will join WDW2014 to celebrate the “Birthday of the Ducati 916”. An exhibition dedicated to the iconic model will retrace the evolution of the Ducati Superbike, starting from the 916 masterpiece and leading to the equally iconic work-of-art, the 1199 Panigale Superleggera which, 20 years later, now establishes itself as the latest benchmark of high-performance production motorcycles.

Celebrating the exhibition will be three-times world champion Troy Bayliss, alongside another star who remains part of the Ducati family as brand ambassador, Spanish rider and 2011 World Superbike Champion, Carlos Checa. The legendary Carl Fogarty, who won a spectacular four Superbike World Championships with Ducati, has also confirmed his attendance and will line-up with riders such as double World Superbike Champion, Doug Polen and highly successful riders such as, Piefrancesco Chili and Giancarlo Falappa. This incredible and fast-growing cast of prestigious Ducati Superbike riders will provide a once-in-a-lifetime gathering to complement the priceless exhibition of Ducati Superbikes.

On Saturday, 19 July, the Ducati World Championship riders will also use the Misano start/finish straight as a "Drag Strip" to battle it out in exciting head-to-head eliminators aboard the brand new Diavel Carbon models. Modified for enhanced performance and ready for the highly competitive riders to enter the exciting shoot-out, the WDW2014 Drag Races are sure to be as popular as previous editions.

While track fans will enjoy the open track sessions and the opportunity to test Ducati's latest models, road-oriented WDW-goers can chose form a selection of WDW Tours organised in collaboration with the Republic of San Marino. The tours, which wind through the surrounding countryside and visit some of Italy’s most characteristic locations, include rides to the charismatic and picturesque Republic of San Marino, an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Between action on track and adventure on the road, WDW2014 will also offer the usual packed program of paddock events. The Ducati University will provide a fascinating look behind the company's latest innovations with presentations by Ducati technicians, test riders and engineers, while the traditional and highly requested Ducati Garage Contest, Historic Area and Pit Walks, with autograph sessions dedicated to the MotoGP and World Superbike riders, are back by popular demand.

 

With the eighth edition of WDW, Ducati has further strengthened its links with partners, institutions and local authorities with a constructive collaboration between the Municipalities of Misano, Cattolica, Riccione and the Republic of San Marino. This partnership enables the famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer to achieve an absolutely unique event that succeeds in capturing the essence of "Made in Italy".

While WDW2014 officially opens at 09:00 on Friday, 18 July at the World Misano Circuit “Marco Simoncelli, the party on the Riviera will actually be kick-started into life the evening before. With the support of the Municipalities of Misano, Cattolica, Riccione, Thursday, 17 July will become the “Notte Rossa”, where bars, restaurants and local pubs situated along the local coastline will welcome Ducatisti with a series of spontaneous events and special offers. With this community connection, WDW2014 will welcome the massive invasion of “Ducatisti” from all corners of the world, innovatively providing "Notte Rossa" details, times and locations via a dedicated mobile app.

On Saturday night the beach food moves to the racetrack when a group of lifeguards from the three supporting towns create the "Rustida" barbecue along the Misano pit lane. Demonstrating their culinary skills, the group will cook for the thousands of Ducati fans hungry for the summer evening excitement of World Ducati Week.

The Misano World Circuit ‘Marco Simoncelli’ is proud to host the WDW again for 2014. This huge Ducati event adds to their already extraordinary sports season, with the Romagnola circuit being one of only six tracks in the world - and the only one in Italy - to host both World Superbike (22 June) and MotoGP (14 September) races.

Partnerships with important brands such as Main Sponsor, Tudor, are key to ensuring the success of the event. A symbol of sport and prestige, the Swiss sports watch company continues its long collaboration with Ducati, taking the role of Official Timing Partner.

Another strategic partner of the eighth edition of WDW is Italian communications giant, TIM. Already an Official Sponsor of Ducati in both MotoGP and World Superbike, TIM will support the huge levels of phone and media traffic generated at the event by providing its innovative LTE technology on the 4G network.

Famously associated with Ducati and synonymous with performance exhaust systems, the Italian brand, Termignoni, becomes a Main Sponsor of the event for the first time. Termignoni's legendary exhausts will be in both the "operating area”, where - in collaboration with Ducati Service - WDW-goers will be able have the prestigious exhaust systems fitted to their Ducatis, and the Heritage area with displays, services and consultancy available to everyone.

The WDW2014 event will be further enriched by the fundamentally important support of three other important companies: Pirelli, Bosch and Shell. Pirelli will provide a technical tyre change service as well as a live show featuring "tattooed" tyres, while Bosch will support the Ducati Riding Experience during the event with dedicated courses on ABS and other new safety technologies, additionally presenting “Ride the Way”, an innovative App for all motorcyclists. Shell, who recently renewed its technical partnership with Ducati until 2016, will continue to ensure its commitment by presenting the technological excellence in its range of Shell Advance premium lubricating oils.

Premium car manufacturer, Audi, will also be present in the WDW2014 paddock with a display of its prestigious models, providing the dynamic opportunity of a “four-wheeled” experience around the track for WDW participants. As "Official Car Partner" Audi will also provide a selection of top models from the range to support Ducati staff and management during the organisation of the event.

All World Ducati Week 2014 information as well as details on the continuously evolving programme, ticket purchase and much more is available on the wdw.ducati.com event website. Following the event is also possible via the dedicated facebook page or by using #worldducatiweek via @ducatimotor on Twitter or Instagram.