Ducati evolution gallery: 2003-2019

The Bologna factory made their Grand Prix racing debut in 2003, with their journey experiencing both highs and lows. To have a look at their history in greater detail, motogp.com have made a small gallery which looks at each Ducati, stretching from their debut season to today. Riders like Loris Capirossi, Sete Gibernau, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow have all climbed aboard a Desmosedici during their careers. So, take a look at the bikes they were riding, among other MotoGP™ stars that have attempted to tame the Italian beast throughout the years. Source link

Dovi leads Ducati 1-2-3 in vital FP1

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) picked up where he left off in Brno as he shot to the top of the timesheets, setting a 1:23.830 to be the only rider under the 1:24 bracket at the eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österrich. Teammate Jorge Lorenzo was second quickest in the session, 0.215 back, with fellow Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) rounding out the top three as the Desmosedici machines dominated the opening premier class session. Source link

Ciabatti on Stoner’s future with Ducati

"The situation is that, when we agreed with Casey to come back to Ducati as a test rider and brand ambassador, we had a 2 +1 – a 3 year deal – that is expiring at the end of 2018, so we, as you may know, we met Casey during World Ducati week at Misano and we spoke a bit about the future," explains Ciabatti. "He’s still recovering to the surgery to his shoulder and he still cannot really move his shoulder up more that 90 degrees, so it was quite a comprehensive surgery and he’s still rehabilitating from that. So we decided we would touch base again later, in September, and see what the progress is with the shoulder to

Comparing Sepang: what changed in 2018

The GP17, however, was a positive change for two riders, both of whom switch manufacturer: Tito Rabat (Reale Avintia Racing) and Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing). Rabat made the biggest leap as he gets acclimatized to life on a Ducati, a stunning 2 and a half seconds quicker in the Sepang test this year. And Miller’s impressive performance since switching to Ducati continued, with the Australian making a gain of a full second. Scott Redding, however, moving to Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, lost out slightly – but teammate Aleix Espargaro, now in his second year on Noale factory machinery, gained two tenths. Source link

Iannone, Crutchlow, Dovi, Lorenzo: tight at the top in Jerez

Ducati, meanwhile, were continuing with their evaluations in order to pass on maximum information to engineers for during the break – with the GP18 due to appear first at the official Sepang Test in January. Dovizioso did 47 laps, Lorenzo 55. Crutchlow, on his part, has the new 2018 prototype Honda as he does some testing for HRC, and had two variations of the machine as well as his 2017 bike in the garage. He did 73 laps. The Repsol Honda Team are not present, instead choosing to use the test days next season. Movistar Yamaha MotoGP and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 also sit out Jerez, instead heading for a private test in Malaysia soon. Source link

Lorenzo on life in red: “I’m still far from my limit”

“A world title for Ducati is something very special,” says the Majorcan, “And I want this to happen. Obviously, if I can, on my side. But if I can’t, it’s good that Dovi does it.” And Lorenzo says that yes, rivalry in the box is always important – but that his focus is on the best for Ducati: “He is my teammate, he is the first one that you have to beat or you want to beat because he has the same bike as you, but also we are in a team. Okay, it’s an individual sport but finally you want the best for Ducati.” Source link

Lorenzo: “The fairing was better”

Jorge Lorenzo, P15: “It was a really positive day. In the morning we were really fast in the wet and it was the best feeling I’ve had in the wet with the Ducati. In the afternoon, it was an important session: we tried the new fairing that puts more weight on the front tyre, one of the two problems I’ve had until now. In general it was better: evidently there are negatives, we lose on the straight. It was a great test, we have to try different settings to see if we can make a big step forward.” Source link