We head to Italy to check out one of the coolest bike events in the World.
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Ductalk: What's Up In The World Of Ducati
Ducati News Roundup Curated by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
We head to Italy to check out one of the coolest bike events in the World.
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Ducati North America has reported its best year ever, according to sales results released today. The Bologna-based brand sold a record 10,883 bikes in its 10th consecutive quarter of growth for its biggest market worldwide.
“I would be lying if I said [I was surprised],” says Cristiano Silei, the CEO of Ducati North America. He was in New York to speak with press on occasion of the successful year. “We have been working hard for it to happen. We have been plotting growth quarter after quarter, and it has worked.
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Editor's Note: This continues a series counting down the top 15 stories in MotoGP in 2012, as determined by the Soup staff.
Filippo Preziosi was more than just an engineer and leading brain at Ducati's racing efforts for nearly 20 years—he almost became the face of the team.
Preziosi joined Ducati in 1994 and rode a red rocket to the top of the company's technical chain of command. He became technical director of Ducati Corse in 1999, responsible for development of the company's entries in World Superbike....
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
The Ducati Diavel has been picked for the second year in a row as best cruiser.
Make sure you click on the story, the photo of the Tsunami Harley (the bike that crossed the ocean in a shipping container) gave an honerable mention to is worth a look if you haven't seen it. Kind of a wonder of the world we think...
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
It’s the Valencia MotoGP test in November, 2010 and the wave of optimism sweeping through Ducati’s factory garage is so powerful it could almost knock you off your feet..
Livio Suppo weighs in on the transfer of Preziosi off the team...
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Our first year of Ductalk.com has now come to an end and in reflection, I don’t remember a year when there was more to write about in the Ducati world and that’s coming from somebody that bought her first Ducati 23 years ago. In that regard, our timing to start Ductalk was lucky, because few days came and went without something worthy of mention. Bombshell announcements (Stoner retires! Rossi leaves! Ducati sold! Justin Bieber buys an 848!) were the monthly norm. And the images? Well, I doubt there will ever be another rider and bike combination more beautiful at rest or speed than the spectacular colors in combination of Ducati, Rossi and Drudi....
For the rest go to http://www.ducati.net/2012/12/2012-in-review-stoner-retires-rossi-leaves-ducati-sold-omg-justin-bieber-buys-an-848/
As the first year of Ductalk comes to an end, Ductalk and Ducati.net editor Vicki Smith gives her view on 2012 past and 2013 to come...
As the first year of Ductalk comes to an end, Ductalk and Ducati.net editor Vicki Smith gives her view on 2012 past and 2013 to come...
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
The 8th Annual Barber Vintage Festival drew a record crowd, promoter ZOOM Motorsports says, with 57,000-plus bike fans sharing the sights and sounds of vintage racing and shows during the three-day 2012 event.
For the rest of this story click HERE
For Vicki's photos of the Barber Vintage Festival click HERE
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
MATADOR By Radical Ducati (2012)
-Donor bike: Ducati 900 SS IE’98
-O24 brake rotors
-Rizoma conical handlebar
-1098 brake and clutch pumps
-RAD carbón fiber front mudguard
-V Rod Type front light
-SP ergal cnc machined upper yoke + handlebar risers
-Aviacompositi EVO rev counter
-Modified frame
-Repostioned wiring
-Modified original fuel tank
-Lightech ergal quick open gas cap
-RAD02 Corsa evo carbon fiber solo seat (modified) with led rear light
-MWR air pods
-Tuned engine : worked heads, high compression, lightened flywheel
-WolfMan exhaust 2 in 1 system
-Spark omologated megaphone
Fotografía: Javier Fuentes
For more photos click HERE
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Like you've never seen before -- this is Valentino Rossi's 2012 Mugello helmet in the hands of designer Aldo Drudi as the pair work on the deigns in his studio. Ever since 2002 Valentino's unveiled a secret, one-off, helmet for the Italian Grand Prix and for the first time we're able to take you behind the scenes as the 2012 creation is assembled.
The film is part of a series of 3 short clips around the 2012 Mugello MotoGP.
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
@ValeYellow46 e Aldo Drudi al lavoro per il casco del Mugello 2012
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Watch the video summary of the world's biggest Ducati gathering that took place in Misano, Italy, June 21.24 2012.
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
This video is dedicated to all Ducatisti that have attended to WDW2012.
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Final preparations are being made for the official opening of the seventh edition of World Ducati Week this Thursday, with the biggest Ducati event worldwide ready to rock-n-roll at the Misano World Circuit during theday, and on the Adriatic Riviera during the night from 21-24 June.
Expected to attract around 60,000 motorcycle fans from all over the world, WDW2012 is packed ready with entertaining and adrenalin-charged events, from on-track activities and the presence of Ducati Team in GP and World Superbike riders, to stunt shows and paddock action to create the exciting and passionate atmosphere associated with Ducati. The Misano paddock opens for action from Thursday and continues into the night with a Beach Party during the evening in Cattolica.
Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden, Troy Bayliss, Carlos Checa, Davide Giugliano, Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz will be at WDW2012 to meet the fans, sign autographs, ride the track and then do battle in the Diavel DragRace by Tudor on Saturday at 18:20 along the Misano World Circuit start/finish straight.
Immediately after, WDW2012 “by night” will move to the sea-front stage set-up in Piazzale Roma in nearby Riccione for the massive celebration night. With Ducati Factory Riders on stage to warm-up the fans,the Ducati All Stars band, featuring world-famous stars like SteveJones (Sex Pistols) Duff McKagan (Guns N’ Roses) Franky Perez (Pusher Jones) Steve Stevens (Billy Idol band), Billy Morrison (The Cult) and Isaac Carpenter (Loaded) will be ready to go full-gas and deliver a magnificent performance.
From the 21-24 June, Misano’s paddock will be alive with World Ducati Week 2012 activities, covering four giant areas of The Planet ofthe Champions.
"Galaxy of Adrenaline"
The Galaxy of Adrenaline will this week host Champions from the Ducati Team in GP, the SBK Development Team, Team Althea Racing, Team Effenbert Liberty Racing, Team DFX Pata and Team Red Devils Roma and prepares them dobattle in the Diavel Drag Races by Tudor elimination contest. In addition to the prestigious Ducati Riding Experience courses with the Troy Bayliss Academy and Master Racing Courses, there is also an opportunity for WDW-goers to test Ducati’s brand new 1199 Panigale on the track. Fromopen track sessions to those dedicated purely to Ducati’s Hypermotardmodels, there’s plenty for owners to try if they want a piece of the action. Those that just want to sit back and enjoy can watch the breathtaking stunt shows, this year’s edition of the Ducati Desmo Challenge or Dragster star Herman Jolink and a demonstration of his Ducati 1198 RS Drag Bike. Audi will also be offering WDW-goers the opportunity to passenger the highly desirable R8 LMS and R8 V10 in the capable hands ofAudi’s professional drivers.
"Bike Art Galaxy"
Hosting a range of initiatives such as Monster ART Planet, this area features the iconic Ducati Monster which, with supporting factory projects such as Colour Therapy, represents a blank canvas for the creativity of itsmany owners. The Ducati Garage Contest provides a further creative challenge for all those with a passion for personalisation and a winner will be announced as the most original twin-cylinder Ducati.
"Heritage Galaxy"
With 2012 being such an important anniversary year for Ducati, there had to be an exhibition dedicated to the models that have made the Bologna-built motorcycles so famous. WDW participants can enjoy a superb line-up of the Ducati Superbikes that wrote motorcycle history and now help celebrate the 40th anniversary of Paul Smart’s 1972 Imola 200 victory that started it all off. To mark this historic event, Paul Smart himself will be at WDW for fans to meet and talk to, in addition to other motorcycling legends from past and present. In such historic surroundings, the Ducati Vintage Contestwill create an additional and incredible display, with the best awarded by an expert jury. For all those looking to learn more of the motorcycle worldthey love so much and discover secrets that will sharpen their own motorcycling skills, Ducati University will open on Thursday.
"New Frontiers Galaxy"
Paolo Pirozzi, President of the Naples Ducati Owners Club, is at WDW2012 this week to celebrate his incredible 500,000km world trip alongside Indian photographer, Sundeep Gajjar, who will arrive on Friday ready to exhibit his incredible work and talk about his journey aboard the Ducati Multistrada from Dubai to Misano entitled Mission Red Planet.
WDW2012’s event Main Partners are Effenbert, Pirelli and Tudor and the event Official Car Partner, Audi. Event Official Partners include Arai,Arrex Curva Rossa, Bellenda, Cartorama, Cantine Ceci, Dainese, Ducati Caffè, “Fight for me Ducati”, Nilox, Shell Advance, TIM and Wurth. Ducati’s long list of partners are also supported by the valuable contributions of Aci Global, Adecco, Artsofbrands, Fiam, Garelli and SDA.
Partnerships with institutions, organisations and authorities involved in the event provide a valuable contribution to its success. The Province of Rimini, Municipality of Misano, Municipality of Cattolica, Municipality of Riccione, and the Republic of San Marino, in additionto the special relationship and sponsorship of the Spanish Tourist Board, will enable the thousands of fans arriving from all over the world, to helppromote its own regions.
The association with the Leardini Group provides a high quality catering service in Adriatic Riviera style, and the Adria Congrex organisational support. The stunning Misano World Circuit, now hosting its seventh World Ducati Week, provides the dream venue for this uniquely thrilling event andthe platform on which all these passionate partnerships have been built.
Last-minute tickets can be purchased at the Misano circuit from 18 June.
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
by julian ryder, on the ground in the uk
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Not long to go until kick-off, so time to wonder aloud if the demise of the unlamented 800cc formula will make any difference to what happens on track.
When the change from 800 to 1000cc was announced a lot of people who should know better hailed a return to the days of the first, sliding, tyre-smoking days of the 990s. That won't happen. The sophistication of modern electronics needed to eeke out the 21 litres of fuel allowed will see to that. However, we may see some deviation from the one-line-only racing of the 800s thanks to the more flexible motors. It may be possible to square the corner off and fire out rather than rely totally on corner speed. However, these differences will be small. Top speeds will be faster, lap records will continue to be trashed and Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo will continue to be fastest....more
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
"There is no doubt Marco Simoncelli would have been right up there challenging for the MotoGP title this year.
The new MotoGP season is just a month away and we are getting a picture of what lies in store when the new 1000cc bikes hit the grid for the first time in Qatar.
Most of the riders were in Malaysia last week for testing and the situation remains the same: the Repsol Honda is looking like the best package.
They had a bit of an engine scare but I can't honestly imagine that that is a problem they can't address, and it shouldn't have any impact on the season, so reigning champion Casey Stoner appears the man to beat again .
Next up in line is Jorge Lorenzo, who will be strong, while if Dani Pedrosa can hang a season together, he can be world champion.
He is as fast as anyone, and if he can somehow keep cocooned and protected all year and not crash, then it could be his year.
Unfortunately for his hordes of fans worldwide, it's looking like Valentino Rossi will be back where he was last year. At best he will be in fifth or sixth place...more
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Dennis Noyes analyses the Sepang test in order to get a sense of the pecking order that could materialize at the dawn of the 1000cc MotoGP era.
The 2012 MotoGP World Championship season is just around the corner and now, after the conclusion of a second three-day test in Sepang, we can at least start to recognize some emerging patterns. But until they actually line up alongside to race each other in Qatar, we can only base it on test results.
The teams have all run their fuel consumption simulations on the test bed and have been able to confirm (or not) these results on track in Malaysia. However, the only rider to run a full race simulation was Jorge Lorenzo on the works Yamaha (Andrea Dovizioso also attempted a simulation on the Tech3 Yamaha but did not complete it). The total of 19 consecutive flying laps put up by the 2010 World Champion can be compared with Valentino Rossi’s race winning time of 2010 at Sepang. There was no race run in 2011 because of the fatal accident that took the life of Marco Simoncelli at the beginning of the race.
If we eliminate the opening lap of Rossi’s win in 2010 in order to compare only the consecutive flying laps of Jorge on the Yamaha 1000cc (although we don't really know the exact capacity) and Valentino two years ago on the Yamaha 800cc, we see that the Spaniard’s average flying lap was done in 2:01.750 compared to Rossi’s old average of 2:02.683...more
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
2012 MotoGP Injury Update
If Nicky Hayden recovers from shoulder surgery as hoped, the Ducati Team rider will be able to participate in the Sepang II MotoGP testing session at the Malaysian Circuit Feb. 28 through March 1.
The Kentuckian underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in Fremont, Calif., on Monday; Hayden injured the shoulder while training on a flat track near his home in December.
During the operation, Dr. Arthur Ting repaired a tear in the labrum. Following the surgery, Hayden met with the surgeon once again on Tuesday for a follow-up exam, and things were cleared for Hayden to return to Kentucky and start recovering.
Nicky Hayden (Ducati Team MotoGP) says: "It's a setback, but all things considered, I'm pretty happy with how things went. It's good that it was possible to do everything by 'scope, and the pain's not too bad. The problem should be fixed now, and I look forward to being able to help out the team as soon as possible."...more
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
Ducati recently finished its first series of official MotoGP testing at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, beset by the typically hot and humid conditions and rain that interrupted track time. Nicky Hayden had a painful shoulder injury that limited valuable time on the bike, limiting input to the technicians as well as getting a feel for the new machine. Valentino Rossi continued until the rain arrived, finishing the session with the fifth-best time behind Honda's Casey Stoner, Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo, Honda's Dani Pedrosa and Yamaha's Ben Spies
Technical changes
A big part of the progress the team has made is due to the twin-spar aluminum frame, which provides better feel of what the front end is doing, something that Rossi has been concerned with throughout the 2011 season (and which he alludes to in his comments below).
While Fillipo Preziosi, general manager Ducati Corse, is happy with the overall progress that has been made so far, he hasn't revealed details of the changes that have been made. Preziosi expressed concern that while the GP12 is performing better than the previous version, the gap to Stoner's Honda is still 1.2 seconds, but the gap to the Yamaha's is half that.
Here's what the riders had to say:...more
Scooped by Vicki Smith for Ducati.net |
He may have only seen a virtual version of Ducati’s new GP12 machine on a computer in Bologna, but Valentino Rossi is confident the radically revamped Desmosedici will help him compete for victories in 2012.
Rossi will get his first chance to evaluate the new Desmosedici when winter testing resumes in Sepang on January 31.
The new bike will feature a modified version of the conventional twin spar aluminium frame Rossi used at the end of 2011 and it is widely believed that Ducati has shortened the V-angle of its new 1000cc engine to help with mass centralisation and weight distribution....more
Recently shared on YouTube, this is one of Bike World's most popular TV episodes. It's a really full on look at WDW 2012