Castel Gandolfo (Rome) 15 September, 2010 - The gift of two Ducati Multistrada motorcycles for the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City has been presented to Pope Bendictus XVI to be used as part of the Pope’s official security motorcade.

During a ceremony at Castel Gandolfo, Ducati Motor Holding made the gift of two Ducati Multistradas to the Pope, the motorcycles specially prepared as special escort vehicles for the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City during official security duties for the Pontiff.

The two 1200cc Ducati Multistrada motorcycles, finished in the special livery of the Pontifical State, were delivered directly to the Pope’s summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Rome on 15 September. In the beautiful gardens adjoining the villa, a delegation of top management from the world-famous Italian motorcycle manufacturer officially presented the gift to His Holiness, Pope Bendictus XVI.

At the ceremony today, Carlo Bonomi, Andrea Bonomi (President of Investindustrial) and Gabriele Del Torchio (President of Ducati Motor Holding) had the honour of presenting the keys of the Ducati motorcycles personally to the Pontiff, and to greet him on behalf of the entire Ducati Company.

“We are very honoured for the unique opportunity of delivering our two special Ducati Multistradas to His Holiness today,” stated Gabriele Del Torchio, President at Ducati Motor Holding, after the ceremony. “For us, and for everyone who works at Ducati, this event represents something to be very proud of and a gesture that reinforces our daily commitment in our work at the factory. It is a symbolic gift with which we would like to express our sincerest appreciation and respect for the Pope and embrace his message of hope and trust in the future, which he addressed to all industries in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate.”

Thanks to Ducati’s gift, this will be the first time in history that the Vatican Gendarmerie Corp will use motorcycles in their delicate security tasks and the fact that this privilege has been given to an Italian manufacturer, gives merit and additional pride to all Italian industry. Furthermore, it strengthens the aura of excellence that already surrounds the dynamic and innovative motorcycle manufacturer, Ducati.

The new Multistrada 1200 has been finished in the special Pontifical livery of yellow and white and is extensively modified for the Gendarmerie Corp with a vertically telescopic flashing light mast, siren and radio communication. The Ducati Multistrada 1200 represents a completely new concept of motorcycle, designed to tackle any kind of journey and road surface by using technology derived directly from the Bologna-made race bikes that compete in MotoGP and World Superbike. The motorcycle has few limits and can transform itself to suit any rider’s demands at the press of a button. Described as being four-bikes-in-one, the Multistrada can transform itself from a sport bike to a touring bike suitable for long journeys with a passenger and luggage, or from an everyday commuter bike to an agile enduro bike, which can tackle off-road routes with ease. In designing the Multistrada, Ducati’s goal was to create a versatile motorcycle able to achieve impressive levels of performance at all times and in all places and their special blend of Italian innovation, elegance, style and technology perfectly characterises the motorcycles that come out of its Bologna factory.