Great track, but 'suicide to run wide'...

Crash.Net

Magny Cours: Ducati preview

Motorsport.com

Laconi, and Lanzi to team with Bostrom at VIR

"We just decided that this will indeed happen," said Ducati Corse Superbike Director Paolo Ciabatti this morning. "Regis, Eric and Lorenzo Lanzi will ride at VIR. It's something we want to do for our fans in the US, as the season we have had hasn't been what we wanted." Superbike Planet

Xaus takes Qatar provisional pole!

d'Antin Ducati's Ruben Xaus has taken a shock provisional pole for Saturday's Qatar Grand Prix after setting the pace in the final seconds of an unpredictable first ever qualifying session at the new Losail circuit. Crash.Net

Xaus thrives in new Desert adventure.

Ruben Xaus took the first ever provisional MotoGP pole position in Qatar - and the first of his career - in an unpredictable first qualifying practice at the Losail International Circuit this afternoon. Crash.Net

Qatar's new bike track is hot stuff

Reuters

Ducati searches for rider to replace Bayliss

Melbourne Herald Sun

Ducati: "We Need Luck"

"There's no doubt that our bikes are now competitive and much, much better than they were earlier in the season," says Ducati Team director Livio Suppo. "But in recent months we have lacked the luck to prove that, I'm sure we would already have scored a few podiums if we had been a little more fortunate." Eurosport

D'Antin duo on level playing field.

D'Antin Ducati riders Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus will be without the usual disadvantage of riding at a circuit new to them, but familiar to many of their rivals, as MotoGP travels to Qatar this weekend for the first ever event in the Middle East. Crash.net

Marlboro + Ducati

Rumors have persisted for months that Phillip Morris, which sponsors the Ducati MotoGP team through its Marlboro brand, are leaving the Italian team after the 2004 season because of the lack of results put forth by Ducati in 2004. Superbike Planet

Bayliss aims to make amends.

Troy Bayliss is hoping to make amends for his Motegi mistake with a strong ride this Saturday in Qatar, a circuit where no rider will have any previous advantage. Crash.net

Laconi claims dramatic Imola double

Fila Ducati's Regis Laconi won the second race of the World Superbikes from Imola to take his second win of the day. His team-mate James Toseland came across the line just 0.041secs behind the French rider in one of the closest finishes yet this season. Crash.net

Laconi fastest in scorching Superpole.

Fila Ducati rider Regis Laconi was the last to take to the track to set his superpole time, but put in a scorching lap to take pole away from Ten Kate Honda's Chris Vermeulen. Crash.net

Northen California Ducati Day

Roadracing World

Toseland in contention in Imola

James Toseland's bid to win the World Superbike Championship remained on course at the penultimate round in Italy on Friday. Sporting Life

Four-rider battle continues

The World Superbike championship heads to Imola for the latest chapter of what is building up to be an exciting and unpredictable climax to the season. James Toseland heads the standings on 255 points, but is followed closely by Chris Vereulen (252), Regis Laconi (245) and Noryuki Haga (241). Eurosport

2005 Ducati 999 Review

Superbikeplanet

WSBK first qualifying times - Imola.

Crash.net

Ducati Previews Imola WSC

Superbike Planet

Toseland: I'm confident I can be competitive.

World Superbikes return to Imola's Enzo and Dino Ferrari circuit this weekend for the latest chapter in this exciting and unpredictable championship season. Crash.Net

Ducati: Bad luck has prevented podiums.

It's no secret that Ducati struggled to match the step forward made by main rivals Honda and Yamaha since the 2003 season, but the team believes it's more bad luck than poor performance which has prevented Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss stepping onto the podium in recent races. Crash.NET

Bayliss: Better to crash from fifth...

Troy Bayliss put on a determined display of hard riding in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, helping the Australian rise from sixteenth on the grid to within sight of Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano and a podium finish – only to fall with five laps to go. Crash.Net

Best so far for 'satisfied' Hodgson.

Neil Hodgson took full advantage of the circumstances to grab eighth place in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix, his best finish of the 2004 season so far. Crash.net

Boston Globe Review of MotoGP Movie "Faster"

Faster as cinema raises more questions than it answers. It's certainly thrilling, but one is not left with a real sense of drama or depth. The Boston Globe's review makes the deficiencies of the film clear. What the reviewer fails to elucidate is that for motorcycle racing enthusiasts it's like candy. When so much of our experience of MotoGP is dominated by commentary and short sound bites having actual interviews with the riders, doctors and mechanics is a real treat.

Read the review here

Ducati pleasantly surprised.

Ducati Marlboro returned to Motegi after its one and only appearance in last year's Pacific GP fearing that the stop-go nature of the Honda built circuit could prove a tough test – but their fears proved largely unfounded as riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss completed day one of the Japanese Grand Prix in fifth and ninth positions. Crash.net

Capirossi considering 2005.

Following an unexpectedly tough 2004 season to date, things have begun to look better for the factory Ducati team in recent races – but with the world championship gone and race wins still looking unlikely, Loris Capirossi already has one eye on next season. Crash.Net

Hodgson to Suzuki?

Rumors. Have you ever heard a juicy little tidbit of info that you desperately hope is true? This is one of those rumors.

Sources close to Neil Hodgson have told Crash.net that the 2003 World Superbike champion is set to move from his current D'Antin Ducati team and take a factory Suzuki ride for 2005. Crash.Net

Ducati: Motegi our most challenging race.

The Ducati Marlboro Team this weekend arrives at Twin Ring Motegi to begin a gruelling run of four overseas Moto GP races over just five weekends. Crash.Net

The New Ducati 999 Testastretta Motorcycle

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Ducati are releasing a new version of their superbike; the Ducati 999 Testastretta. This new motorcycle is Ducati's fastest motorcycle, highest performance and advanced to-date.

Ducati's goal in Bologna was to create a Superbike of stunning design and performance that improved rider ergonomics, simplified maintenance, reduced motorcycle complexity and boosted horsepower. Aerodynamics, mechanical and electronic components, chassis and running gear were developed first, styling followed. The result is a 999 that is quicker, slipperier and frankly, sexier than ever – a real race machine that epitomizes the best of Ducati’s high performance tradition, but pushes that heritage fast into the future. The new 999: the Superbike formula that has dominated the sport for over a decade reigns.

Design
Two years after the launch of the first 999 models, Ducati decided it was time to update production bikes with all of the features and technological improvements developed during racetrack testing. The new 999 now features
an innovative aluminium alloy two-sided box-section rear swing-arm, a true replica of the one used on the 999 Factory race bike. Handling has been enhanced with a more favorable weight/rigidity ratio. Other key modifications include: a wider and higher nose fairing (upper air intakes have been sealed) that provides better rider aerodynamics and a raised Plexiglas windscreen for better wind protection. All-new Terblend NNG02 polymer plastic fairings lower overall weight by 1 Kg. The turn indicators have been incorporated into the mirrors, which are spaced further apart, to improve aerodynamics and complement the motorcycle’s clean lines.

Testastretta
The 999 Testastretta engine produces incredible linear and tractable power delivery, pumping out 140 HP at 9750 rpm and 11.1 kgm at 8000 RPM. The name “Testastretta”, or “narrow head”, comes from its cylinder heads that have a steep, included valve angle of only 25 degrees. Flat top pistons are the optimal choice for efficient combustion because they create the best environment for a smooth and linear combustion flame front. This allows a very compact combustion chamber and enables the use of flat top pistons while still having a high compression ratio. The new Testastretta engine, developed on the racetrack during years of competition training, has a stroke of 63.5 mm and a 100 mm bore. This short stroke lowers the average speed of the piston resulting in a higher rpm redline, maximum performance, and improved reliability.

Ergonomics
An adjustable riding position allows for optimum ergonomics, performance, handling, and control on the road and the racetrack. Fitting the 999 to individual rider size is accomplished with adjustable foot-pegs and adjustable
rake, suspension and a seat/tank combination on the single-seat version with 20 mm of fore and aft travel. A well-loaded front end ensures manageable and precise control, at the same time taking the weight off the rider’s wrists. The 999 is equipped with radial master cylinders with built-in reservoirs offering a wider steering angle for easier city riding.

Brakes
The Superbike Brembo braking system consists of twin 320 mm steel front brake discs set in a more outward position for improved cooling and a steel 240 mm diameter rear brake disc. The front brake “triple bridge” calipers are rigid for incredible stopping power and feature four 34 mm pistons and four individual sintered brake pads. The radial front brake and clutch levers are adjustable for better ergonomics.

Wheels
The 999 utilizes lightweight, five spoke, Y-shaped Brembo/Marchesini wheels.

Suspension
The 999 features a fully adjustable suspension system. Upside-down 43 mm Showa forks with low friction TiN treatment and a Showa rear shock provide a smooth ride on all road and track conditions.

Swingarm
The 999 now features an innovative aluminium alloy two-sided box-section rear swing-arm, a true replica of the one used on the 999 Factory race bike.

Exhaust
The exhaust system’s innovative asymmetrical layout and the high-volume single-muffler result in significant torque at the middle of the rev range. The 999 complies with Euro 2 standards.

Frame
The 999’s highly advanced trellis frame, constructed of mitered and welded high-strength steel tubing, ensures precise handling and stability for a consistent and predictable ride.

Instrument Panel
The Ducati 999 utilizes an incredibly advanced instrumentation panel. Composed of a circular tachometer with a backlit, classic, white dial and LCD panel, it indicates engine coolant temperature, speed, odometer, battery voltage, air temperature, fuel consumption, code-based diagnostics and signals for 200 and 100 rpm before redline. The panel also indicates time, routine service interval and anti-theft system status. Bikes in the Fast Lane

Ducati MotoGP efforts continue to struggle

Both the factory and satellite Ducati MotoGP teams struggled today at Estoril. None of the four riders were able to improve upon yesterday's preliminary qualifying times. Crash.net

Ducati playing catch-up.

Ducati Marlboro riders Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss had a tough start to their weekend at Estoril, where Capirossi is due to ride his 100th premier-class race. The Italian and the Australian finished this afternoon's opening qualifying session in ninth and 12th positions and with plenty of work to do in the run-up to Sunday's race. Crash.Net

Ducati Cup Qualifying From Assen

Pierfrancesco Chili takes provisional pole position for Sunday's World Superbikes Grand Prix in Assen. BBC Sport

Silly Silly Silly Season

Crash.net

Assen World Superbike Preview

Crash.net

Hodgson: Things look promising for next year.

Crash.net has an article where Hodgson talks about the 2004 series so far. Here's a snippet from the article. "Hodgson has since gone on record to say he'd be top ten at every race if he had the GP4 and a twin-pulse engine." Neil is clearly insane. Xaus has out qualified and out raced Hodgson consistently during 2004. The real question isn't how he would be finishing on newer machinery, but instead does he deserve a seat in motorcycling's premier class? Crash.net

Capirossi's 100th 500cc/MotoGP This Sunday

SuperBike Planet

Ducati Previews World Superbike

Cycle News

Hoping for improvement

Cycle News

Hodgson, Xaus To See Estoril Circuit For The First Time

Roadracing World