Ducati Los Angeles

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2008-04-22T14:39:00.000-07:00

Ducati: A Story of Passion

2007-07-16T15:46:00.001-07:00

Ducati DVD Trailer. Great video of motorcycle racing, sexy Italian machines and behind the scenes footage in the factory. Interviews with World Superbike Champion Troy Bayliss and Ducati executives.

Front Row!

2005-04-30T10:37:00.000-07:00

"This track is pretty difficult, especially the really slow first section, but the bike's going well, it seems to like the place. I tried three different race tyres and there's one that seems really good. I'm expecting a nice fight because there's a few riders really close on lap times," Crash.net

Liquid Horsepower

2005-04-25T00:55:00.000-07:00

Superbike Planet has a very interesting short article about Ducati Austin and AMA race fuels. Superbike Planet

van den Goobergh quits Supersport Ducati team.

2005-04-24T11:26:00.000-07:00

Crash.net

Ducati Release From Valencia

2005-04-22T13:06:00.000-07:00

Ducati Xerox Team riders Régis Laconi and James Toseland finished the first day of qualifying at Valencia in eleventh and twelfth positions today as both riders opted not to make a qualifying attack and instead focus on their race set-up. Cycle News

Let Lavilla race!

2005-04-11T09:02:00.000-07:00

Armed with the venerable 999 F04, Lavilla has shown that there is still life in Ducati, and it would be an injustice for him not to continue the pursuit of early championship leader Ryuichi Kiyonari.

If you feel the same, email your thoughts to adam@crash.net. All the comments, which will be used with the uppermost confidentiality, will then be passed directly on to Colin Wright and the GSE team in petition to keep Lavilla. Crash.net article 1, article 2

Cracked ankle but Capirossi delights Ducati.

2005-04-09T15:37:00.000-07:00

"After the crash I went to the Clinica Mobile, where Dr Costa asked me what I wanted to do," he said. "As usual I told him I wanted to go on, so they gave me three pain-killing injections in the ankle. I can ride okay but it's not easy downshifting. Crash.net

Ducati runs engine-braking system, Checa falls.

2005-04-08T12:38:00.000-07:00

"I'm still getting used to the system - it feels very different to ride with, like you've switched off the engine when you brake," said Loris. Crash.net

Checa fit for first race.

2005-04-04T19:07:00.000-07:00

Crash.net

Toseland works on set-up as Laconi flies.

2005-04-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Around and around and around...

2005-03-31T08:05:00.000-08:00

Ducati Austin's Neil Hodgson tested Barber for the first time on Tuesday and Wednesday and ended up third quickest with a lap time of 1:25.931 on the second day. More importantly, he turned a bunch of laps on his Ducati 999 Superbike. Superbike Planet

Capirossi carries depleted Ducati.

2005-03-27T17:42:00.000-08:00

With his team-mate Carlos Checa sidelined through injury, Loris Capirossi and test rider Vittoriano Guareschi carried the hopes of the Ducati Marlboro Team during the second and final official MotoGP test, which concluded at Jerez on Sunday. Crash.net

Desmosedici RR Spy Pics

2005-03-27T09:46:00.000-08:00

Ducati has been testing an extremely ugly Desmosedici RR prototype. The pictures below show a bike cobbled together from various 999 parts (mirrors) and spare car parts (exhaust). As always speculation about the bike is rampant. Here are a few of the current rumours.

• Pierre Terreblanche is being kept away from the Desmosedici project after the controversy surrounding these design of the 999 and Multistrada.

• "Ducati realised the road bike had been watered down far too much and that it needed to be a nasty bike rather than the soft-looking mess it had become." "This is basically going to be a race bike civilised just enough to – and not a pale imitation." - Motorcycle News, March 23, 2005 (Ducati insider)

• THE final bodywork of the Desmosedici RR will be left until the last possible moment before being signed off, as Ducati wants the road bike to look just like its GP racer. Ducati is planning to reveal a new look for the GP bike – with a more aerodynamic fairing developed by ex-Formula One designer Alan Jenkins – at the Le Mans race in May. The road bike may well follow that design, with the addition of lights and mirrors. - Motorcycle News, March 23, 2005

MOTOGP News - Capirossi: Maybe we lost our way a bit.

2005-03-25T16:06:00.000-08:00

The Ducati Marlboro Team - already reduced to just one rider at the Jerez test after Carlos Checa was forced to withdraw due to injury - suffered a tough opening day at the Spanish circuit, which ended with Loris Capirossi just 11th on the timesheets. Crash.net

Checa to miss Jerez

2005-03-23T16:13:00.000-08:00

The Ducati Marlboro Team's last minute preparations ahead of the 2005 MotoGP season have been dealt a blow with the news that race rider Carlos Checa will miss this weekend's final pre-season test, at Jerez, after being diagnosed with a dislocated shoulder. Crash.net

Three difficult days at Ducati

2005-03-21T09:36:00.000-08:00

After several positive pre-season tests, the Ducati Marlboro team experienced something of a reality check at the Barcelona official MotoGP test, in which the team struggled to break into the top ten on all three days.

The team's fastest rider, Loris Capirossi, was eighth, twelfth and tenth respectively over the three days – putting the Italian tenth overall. Ducati were also outpaced by the leading Suzuki of John Hopkins, while Kawasaki's Shinya Nakano was within 0.13secs of Capirossi. All three teams use the Bridgestone tyres. Crash.net

Ducati denies semi-automatic gearbox.

2005-03-19T17:39:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Monster Challenge Winner

2005-03-18T14:23:00.000-08:00

Ducati North America

California's mini-Mugello

2005-03-18T14:20:00.000-08:00

"When asked if there were any European tracks that reminded him of Sears Point, Hodgson elaborated, 'There's a couple. Like my favorite track is Mugello, believe it or not, one of the best in Italy. This is like a mini-Mugello, really. Mugello's got like a one kilometer straight, and obviously this place doesn't have a one kilometer straight, but it's the same sort of feeling, same sort of sensation.'" Superbike Planet

Ducati still builds fastest MotoGP machine

2005-03-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

335.1km/h Crash.net

Capirossi curious ahead of Barcelona 'race'.

2005-03-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Regis Laconi Second Fiddle to Corser

2005-03-12T12:31:00.000-08:00

World Superbike testing continued Friday and Saturday at Valencia, Spain. The quotes paint a clear picture of the divergent fortunes of the Xerox Ducati pilots.

Laconi - 2nd fastest
"We worked a lot on the bike settings today because we didn't test in the dry on this track in February and I am quite pleased with the way things went."

Toseland - 8th fastest
"I don't know the reason for the crash because I was going through the chicane on my 'in' lap and the bike just went round and slammed me on the floor."

Crash.net

Finally!

2005-03-12T12:11:00.000-08:00

No crash. No mechanical DNF. Hodgson has hit the ground running. The Ducati 999 piloted by Neil Hodgson gave Ducati a podium finish in today's Daytona Superbike race.

1 Mat Mladin
2 Neil Hodgson
3 Ben Spies
4 Aaron Yates
5 Jake Zemke

11 Eric Bostrom

BBC Sport

Daytona Ducati Day

2005-03-11T23:34:00.000-08:00

A great image gallery of pictures from "Ducati Day" at Daytona. Superbike Planet

Eric Looking For Answers

2005-03-11T14:47:00.000-08:00

Superbike Planet

Hodgson qualifies third at Daytona

2005-03-10T13:59:00.000-08:00

BBC Sport

Funny money

2005-03-06T20:26:00.000-08:00

Superbike Planet has posted the full text of Ducati's press release regarding contingency money for 2005 in North America. At first glance it looks like an ambitious attempt to push Ducati racers to the front of the field. A closer look shows that most of the $871,000 that is available is very safe.

$450,000 of that budget is for AMA Superbike and Formula Extreme. The factory team is excluded which makes it extremely unlikely that any of the Superbike prizes will be collected since right now no other Ducati riders are listed on the AMA site. Formula Extreme has two Ducati mounted riders. #66 Benjamin Walters, #308 Dario. Good luck to them. With the likes of Aaron Yates , Ben Spies, Miguel Duhamel, Tommy Hayden also competing in the series Ben and Dario have their work cut out for them.

So over 50% of the contingency budget is unlikely to ever be paid out. The remainder is targeted toward club racing where Ducati may be competitive in specialty events like Thunderbike or Battle of the Twins.

"This is the most aggressive racing contingency program Ducati has ever offered and it is a demonstration of our commitment to racing in North America. We want people to consider racing a Ducati this season because we are a genuine alternative to the mass market products and racing is in our blood. We are World Superbike Champions and we intend to mount a serious challenge in AMA Superbike in 2005. The grass roots of racing produce the heroes of tomorrow and we want as many of them as possible to learn their craft on a Ducati. " says Michael Lock, Ducati North America CEO.

This is a great sentiment, but the real issue here is cost. From the club level to the international level the number of Ducatis on racing grids is declining. WSBK has gone in a single season from being the "Ducati Cup" to being populated mostly by Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki. 2003 British Superbike champions Monstermob have switched from Ducati to Honda for 2005. The reason given was cost. A Ducati 999 CAN be made competitive against the best Japanese superbikes, but only at a tremendous cost. If Mostermob is unable, or unwillng, to shoulder that cost then it is unrealistic to expect club level racers to ride a Ducati regardless of the contingency fund. Race competitive bikes need to be cost effective tools to purchase and campaign.

Ducati's history and heritage are tightly linked to racing success. To extend that history into the coming decade Ducati needs racers at all levels, not just MotoGP, riding and winning on Ducatis. Superbike Planet

'Race spec' Ducatis in contention.

2005-03-03T14:24:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Qatar MotoGP Testing

2005-03-02T10:31:00.000-08:00

Superbike Planet

Ducati MotoGP Testing in Qatar

2005-03-01T09:49:00.000-08:00

"Development work on the Ducati Demosedici GP5 is continuing non-stop
and the Ducati Marlboro Team has concluded positively the first of the
three scheduled days of testing at the new Losail circuit, which was
inaugurated last year. A milder climate (27° air/47° track) than that
recorded in the 2004 GP helped Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa get the
best out of the session, but strong winds along the long Losail
straight inevitably conditioned the work of all the riders." Superbike Planet

Toseland admits he's off the pace.

2005-02-24T13:46:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

This championship will be incredible, says Laconi.

2005-02-24T13:44:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

WSBK First Qualifying

2005-02-24T07:12:00.000-08:00

1. Troy Corser AUS Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSXR1000 2min 1.244 secs
2. Jose Luis Cardoso SPA DFXtreme Yamaha YZF R1 2min 1.388 secs
3. Regis Laconi FRA Ducati Xerox 999F05 2min 1.98 secs
4. Sebastien Gimbert FRA Yamaha Motor France-Ipone YZF R1 2min 2.217 secs
5. Max Neukirchner GER Klaffi Honda CBR 1000RR 2min 2.236 secs
6. Yukio Kagayama JPN Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra GSXR1000 2min 2.284 secs
7. Chris Vermeulen AUS Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR 1000RR 2min 2.469 secs
8. Pierfrancesco Chili ITA Klaffi Honda CBR 1000RR 2min 2.507 secs
9. Noriyuki Haga JPN Yamaha Motor Italia YZF R1 2min 2.687 secs
10. James Toseland GBR Ducati Xerox 999F05 2min 2.754 secs
11. Ivan Silva SPA La Glisse Yamaha YZF R1 2min 2.759 secs
12. Andrew Pitt AUS Yamaha Motor Italia YZF R1 2min 2.769 secs
13. Norick Abe JPN Yamaha Motor France-Ipone YZF R1 2min 2.868 secs
14. Chris Walker GBR PSG-1 Kawasaki Corse ZX10 2min 2.921 secs
15. Marco Borciani ITA DFXtreme Sterilgarda Yamaha YZF R1 2min 3.178 secs
16. Giovanni Bussei ITA Kawasaki Bertocchi ZX10 2min 3.268 secs
17. Lorenzo Lanzi ITA Ducati SC Caracchi 999RS 2min 3.314 secs
18. Karl Muggeridge AUS Winston Ten Kate Honda CBR 1000RR 2min 3.532 secs
19. Fonsi Nieto SPA Ducati SC Caracchi 999RS 2min 3.956 secs
20. Steve Martin AUS Foggy Petronas Racing FP1 2min 4.045 secs

'Black and blue' Toseland starts title defence.

2005-02-23T15:33:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

World Superbike Preview

2005-02-22T12:25:00.000-08:00

Superbike Planet

Suicide solution

2005-02-21T17:39:00.000-08:00

By this time it's probably no longer news that Hunter S Thompson is dead. How he died seems less relevant than how he lived and what he wrote.

"When Cycle World called me to ask if I would road-test the new Harley Road King, I got uppity and said I'd rather have a Ducati superbike. It seemed like a chic decision at the time, and my friends on the superbike circuit got very excited. "Hot damn," they said, "We will take it to the track and blow the bastards away."

"Balls," I said. "Never mind the track. The track is for punks. We are Road People. We are Café Racers."

DLP posted links at hosenpants.com to HST's "Song of the Sausage Creature". Enjoy.

Slow and crashy

2005-02-20T10:19:00.000-08:00

"I was going into the second of the three successive fast right-handers and the rear let go," explained Toseland. "I just looped over and landed on my side. I've never been up that high before." Crash.net - BBC Sport

Movin' on up

2005-02-19T12:06:00.000-08:00

I may have to eat some crow. Carlos Checa has been surprisingly, consistently quick on the Ducati GP5. Checa finished Saturday's pre-season test at Phillip Island with the third fastest time. His teammate Loris Capirossi finished almost 0.4 seconds slower in fifth position.

When Checa was hired by Ducati to replace the beloved Troy Bayliss it appeared to be a move not to obtain the most competitive rider, but to appease Marlboro, Ducati's MotoGP title sponsor. Checa's pre-season performance has shown flashes of a renewed racer that will hopefully continue into the 2005 season. Crash.net

Toseland disappointed, Regis being cautious.

2005-02-19T11:50:00.000-08:00

Crash.net reports on the final pre-season test in Qatar. Toseland expressed disappointment in his fourth place time. Laconi claimed he was being cautious which resulted in a ninth place time for him.

A consistent theme in 2005 WSBK pre-season testing has been Ducati's loss of dominance. The top of the timesheets are no longer 80% Ducati. Even the Ducati factory team seems to be struggling to stay competitive. Crash.net

Checha Fast!?

2005-02-18T15:19:00.000-08:00

After a harmless fall yesterday, new Ducati Marlboro rider Carlos Checa set a cracking pace on the second day of testing at Phillip Island – the Spaniard lowering his Thursday best by 0.75secs to record the second fastest time of the day, being just 0.075secs slower than countryman Sete Gibernau. Crash.net

Ducati Tests Phillip Island MotoGP

2005-02-17T15:23:00.000-08:00

Ducati engineers focussed mainly on suspension set-up today, and several different solutions that had already been tested previously were again used in preparation for tomorrow, when the work will specifically revolve around the development of the Bridgestone tires. Superbike Planet

This is what we like to see.

2005-02-17T08:39:00.000-08:00

2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson was first on the track and the most prolific rider, turning more laps than anyone else and to good effect. When the day ended prematurely with a light shower around 4 p.m., Hodgson was on top with a lap nearing his best ever. Cycle News

Toseland Aspires to MotoGP

2005-02-16T15:52:00.000-08:00

England's World Superbike champion James Toseland is eyeing a move to MotoGP next year, but only if he can land a competitive ride. BBC Sport

WSBK Traction Control

2005-02-11T13:44:00.000-08:00

The widely spaced power pulses of the v-twin engine have provided Ducati a traction advantage despite frequently being down on power compared to the 4-cylinder competition. Now with 200bhp twins the much admired ability of the Ducati to effectively put that power through the rear tire may be diminishing.

World Superbikes are based on "production" motorcycles. Is this a harbinger of things to come from Ducati? Will there be a 2006 999R with electronic traction trickery? Crash.net

Capirossi 'worn out' by fever.

2005-02-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

Ducati Marlboro's Loris Capirossi was one of a number of riders suffering from a fever on day one of the second Sepang test - the Italian, who set the pace at the same circuit last month, admitting it affected his strength and reactions today. Crash.net

Flickr

2005-02-10T09:26:00.000-08:00

Ducati 250cc Diana with Jelly Mold Tank
Original photo by astrovine.

The picture above was created by a gentlement that calls himself Astrovine. I do not know him, but a new online photo sharing service called Flickr allows him to share his images with family, friends or the whole world. Flickr is a great place to find all kinds of cool photos. Check it out. My username is richardnixon. Flickr

Ducati tire test at Sepang

2005-02-10T08:41:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Ducati Tire Test Team

2005-02-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

The aim of the Tyre Test Team, which will employ the services of Shinichi Itoh, is to specifically develop tyres for the Desmosedici and the new outfit will see Luca Gasbarro (Troy Bayliss' former race engineer) in the role of track technical director. Crash.net

Defensive words from GSE

2005-02-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

Following Crash.net's report suggesting that the Ducati 999 racers in British and World Superbikes may not have a lot going for them this year, GSE Ducati's team manager Colin Wright has exclusively spoken out in defence of the V-Twin, adamant that the torque of the twin will still be an advantage over the fours – especially at the short British tracks. Crash.net

Ducati S4R review

2005-02-08T14:21:00.000-08:00

OneWheelDrive.Net

Toseland faster, Laconi crashes on final day.

2005-02-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

More rain. "Cold and wet weather conditions throughout the scheduled two-day test meant that very little dry-weather track time was completed, but James Toseland and R�gis Laconi both declared that they were satisfied with the set-up and the handling of the Ducati 999 F05 on the wet track." crash.net

KNBR San Francisco - Rider Radio

2005-02-07T15:45:00.000-08:00

Ducati North America

Spanish World Superbike Tests

2005-02-07T15:29:00.000-08:00

Superbike Planet

Slow

2005-02-07T14:21:00.000-08:00

At the first comparable test that sees HM Plant Honda pitted against the factory backed GSE Ducati team at the Spanish Gaudix circuit, track-side reports suggest that the Italian manufacturer's 2004 WSBK championship winning machines are over a second off the pace. Crash.net

Ducati GSE Racing Prepares For 2005

2005-02-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

Rubber Magazine

Centopassi article by Ian Kerr

2005-02-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

StreetBiker

Monster Challenge

2005-02-03T11:41:00.000-08:00

Although I was able to see the Monster Challenge at the IMS Long Beach show, I haven't been paying close attention to the other rounds. This week there has been a new flurry of Monster Challenge news activity regarding two interesting developments.

The Kneeslider had a very interesting post about the winner of the NYC round. "The New York Monster challenge is in the books and the winner took a little different route and actually used some building skills to get his Monster together. A bit of welding and metalwork was required to modify his 2004 Monster 1000. It’s nice to see a little more skill involved as opposed to bolting on accessories." This is an excellent point that was also part of judge Brian Catterson's commentary on the event. “I appreciate that Lock created something totally unique instead of just bolting on parts from a catalog. The bike also reminds me of an old Pantah I used to race.”

This week's MCN brought to my attention another Monster Challenge motorcycle from MotoCreations. According to MCN, "Ducati North America is looking at supplying the bike's creator with engines so he can build more machines with an official badge." Ducati.com

Ducati Xerox launched in Italy.

2005-02-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Snow is the new asphalt

2005-02-02T22:32:00.001-08:00

Rossi: Ducati Engineers Have Made Some Improvements

2005-02-02T22:32:00.000-08:00

Ok. So this article is pretty light on Ducati content, but Rossi comments about Ducati's progress. Rossi and Edwards ride snowmobiles which somehow relates to MotoGP. Roadracing World

New appointments and restructuring in Ducati Motor Holding

2005-02-02T22:26:00.000-08:00

DMH Business news hosted by http://www.superbikeplanet.com/2005/Feb/050202g.htm

Ducati MotoGP Team Manager Livio Suppo

2005-02-01T08:11:00.000-08:00

Who is this very serious looking man? Read Dean Adams & Susan Haas' interview of Livio Suppo, the team manager for the Marlboro Ducati MotoGP team. Superbike Planet

Twisting Asphalt

2005-01-31T14:49:00.000-08:00

The blogging world always turns out to be much bigger than expected. Today I discovered Twisting Asphalt. Dylan has a great site and frequently posts about Ducati.

Check out the very nice posting about the Ducati GP5 introducation. The photos are really spectacular! Twisting Asphalt

Proton Drops Plan to Buy Ducati

2005-01-31T14:37:00.000-08:00

Forbes.com

Fila Ducati to become Ducati Xerox

2005-01-31T14:09:00.000-08:00

Ducati Corse will be unveiling the 2005 Ducati Xerox live on the internet. At 11:15am (CET) on Thursday 3rd February, the presentation of the official factory World Superbike team will be broadcast live via the internet on Ducati.com

Mike Hailwood's 750SS featured in Aussie Museum

2005-01-28T14:18:00.000-08:00

A new Australian Motorcycling museum, Motorcycling Australia Museum, has announced the acquistion of Mike Hailwood's 750SS. This historic Australian owned motorcycle will be a cornerstone of the museum's collection. Motorsport.com

Ducati dominant at Sepang MotoGP testing

2005-01-25T10:26:00.000-08:00

Loris Capirossi has completed a dream debut test for the new Ducati Desmosedici GP5 by keeping his new machine on top of the timesheets with a record breaking lap on the third and final day of testing at Sepang – that beat the circuit's official pole record by 1.3secs. Crash.net

Ducati unveils GP5.

2005-01-20T08:43:00.000-08:00

Ducati Corse has today unveiled the Desmosedici GP5 which will be campaigned by Ducati Marlboro Team riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa in the 2005 MotoGP World Championship. Crash.net

Ducati GP5 is evolution not revolution.

2005-01-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Hodgson fast at Daytona test

2005-01-06T16:57:00.000-08:00

Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin riders Neil Hodgson and Eric Bostrom completed three promising days of testing with their Ducati 999s at the Daytona International Speedway yesterday [Wednesday], getting their preparations for the 2005 AMA Superbike campaign well underway. Crash.net

Daytona Test Speeds

2005-01-06T16:00:00.000-08:00

Neil Hodgson, Ducati 999, 194.635 mph
Eric Bostrom, Ducati 999, 190.302 mph

Superbike Planet - Ducati Juggernaut

2005-01-04T13:09:00.000-08:00

Ducati shipped over four new 999 AMA spec Superbikes for the team, and a large crew of Italian engineers to massage them, including Corse Superbike Technical Director Ernesto Marinelli for this test. The powerplants in the works machines are said to be full-on World Superbike spec and more. Horepower output is said to top 190 now from the starting to grow on people 999. Superbike Planet

Superbike Planet - Eric Bostrom's Second Chance

2005-01-04T12:53:00.000-08:00

While his 2004 season wasn't a complete write-off for Eric Bostrom in the way that Kurtis Roberts' was—little KR may have very well been better off staying at home and watching old Sonny & Cher reruns—Bostrom is definitely trying to claw his way back to his old form after a tough year. He steps into his leathers down here at the famed 'World's Center of Racing' with factors that should help him find his way back home. Superbike Planet

Rolfo's Desmosedici to run Dunlops.

2005-01-04T12:48:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

More Hodgson

2005-01-03T20:17:00.000-08:00

Superbike Planet

Welcome to Daytona

2005-01-03T20:15:00.000-08:00

Ducati Austin’s Neil Hodgson has raced at the World Championship level for the past four years. Nothing could compare to today's experience at Daytona International Speedway. Cycle News

Ducati at 2005 AMA Vintage Days

2004-12-23T11:53:00.000-08:00

Ducati announced that they will be the
"Featured Marque" at AMA Vintage Motorcycle Days 2005, an annual event held on July 15-17 at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio. Roadracing World

Motogiro d'Italia Scheduled For May 2005

2004-12-22T15:55:00.000-08:00

From May 24th - 28th 2005, the Motogiro d'Italia, the historic Italian motorbike competition, returns to the legendary roads of Emilia Romagna, Umbria, Tuscany and Marche. Dream Engine is organizing the event for its fifth consecutive year and Ducati Motor is the event's main sponsor - as it has been since 2001 - helping to celebrate the golden years of Italian motorcycling. Roadracing World

How does AMA Superbike Racing Compare?

2004-12-20T09:07:00.000-08:00

Not surprisingly, the AMA riders think they are world class, and many former AMA riders have found success at the WSB level in the past. Nevertheless, despite having to learn new tracks and adjust to new tires, Hodgson should show us just how competitive the top AMA riders would be at the world championship level. Motorcycle Daily:

Hodgson tests Ducati 999 and Dunlops at Jerez

2004-12-19T17:09:00.000-08:00

2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson tested a Dunlop-shod Ducati 999 Superbike December 16-17 at Jerez, in Spain, in preparation for his 2005 AMA Superbike season with Parts Unlimited Ducati Austin. Roadracing World

Long Beach Monster Challenge Winner

2004-12-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

Roadracing World

Ducati reigns at rain soaked Valencia test.

2004-12-15T08:42:00.000-08:00

Crash.net

Nannelli's 749 out-performs Lanzi in wet test.

2004-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Atrocious weather conditions welcomed testers at the Valencia circuit for an unofficial two-day test organized for the 2005 World Supersport and Superbike teams, which started on Monday. Crash.net

Ducati Desmo Challenge series

2004-12-13T23:43:00.000-08:00

This new Ducati series planned for the coming 2005 season, will be run over four dates and offer exciting races on the track as well as a number of entertaining activities for the public. The event is open to all riders from European Union countries who possess a CE racing licence issued by their national federation. Roadracing World

Motorcycle Daily ponders tire choices and the meaning of life

2004-12-13T08:26:00.000-08:00

Motorcycle Daily

Laguna Seca MotoGP Circus to feature Ducati Island

2004-12-09T12:29:00.000-08:00

Roadracing World

Ducati's AMA Superbike effort will use Dunlops

2004-12-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

Cycle News

Checa smashes pole pace on final day.

2004-11-25T12:25:00.000-08:00

The Ducati Marlboro Team wrapped up its third and final day of testing at the Jerez circuit today with new signing Carlos Checa smashing Valentino Rossi's 2004 pole time by almost 0.8secs. Crash.net

Ducati encouraged by Bridgestone debut.

2004-11-23T22:01:00.000-08:00

Glorious weather conditions greeted the new partnership between Ducati and Bridgestone on the first day of testing at Jerez, Spain, today (Tuesday).

2005 race riders Loris Capirossi and Carlos Checa spent the entire day getting used to the new tyres - neither having ridden Bridgestones before - and were immediately impressed with the handling of their machines on the Japanese rubber. Ducati has used Michelin tyres since its MotoGP debut in 2003. Crash.net

Laconi appearance a 'one off'.

2004-11-22T10:39:00.000-08:00

Ducati has stated that the upcoming appearance of 2004 World Superbike runner-up Regis Laconi on a Desmosedici MotoGP machine is purely 'one off'. Crash.net

Ducati: Tomorrow will be really special.

2004-11-22T10:37:00.000-08:00

Following the recent announcement that Ducati Marlboro will switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres for the 2005 MotoGP season, the Italian team is set to make its track debut with the Japanese tyres at Jerez tomorrow. Crash.net

Ducati confirms Bridgestone switch.

2004-11-15T08:38:00.000-08:00

The Ducati Marlboro Team has today officially confirmed that they will switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres for the 2005 MotoGP world championship. Crash.net

2004-10-31T08:34:00.000-08:00

Checa confirmed at Ducati.Unbelievable! This certainly seems like strong evidence of the overwhelming power of the sponsor. Marlboro has installed Carlos Checa on the Ducati MotoGP team. Checa was never a great rider. He is not a great development rider. He has not been a factor in the championship for years. Crash.net

Michael Jordan rides Ducati MotoGP

2004-10-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

This seems like the beginning of a juicy rumor. Does this mean that Jordan's AMA efforts will be using Ducati equipment? Superbike Planet

Bayliss flying on farewell ride.

2004-10-29T10:25:00.000-07:00

Troy Bayliss provided the MotoGP paddock with a timely reminder of his talents today at Valencia, when - at the start of his final weekend with the Ducati Marlboro team - he occupied provisional pole with just five minutes of the first qualifying session remaining, before eventually taking a still promising overnight fourth. Crash.net

Desmosedici RR taking shape.

2004-10-29T10:24:00.000-07:00

Officially presented to the 'Ducatista' in May during World Ducati Week, the development of the Desmosedici RR is continuing to take shape... Crash.net

Ducati 'smiling' for season finale.

2004-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

The Ducati Marlboro Team comes to Valencia for the final race of the year following a morale-boosting Australian GP where Loris Capirossi scored a storming third-place - the team's first podium result of the year, to put the Italian-based crew in optimistic mood for Valencia. Crash.net

How the mighty have been reassigned

2004-10-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

According to sources in Europe, former World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson will join Eric Bostrom next year on the Ducati Austin team and will compete for the AMA Superbike Championship.Cycle News

Update: Superbike Planet

Ducati North America financing

2004-10-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ducati Press Release - Ducati North America and GE Retail Sales Finance are proud to announce their first joint promotional finance program. This new partnership brings Ducati owners the support and backing of GE, the largest financing company in the world. Ducati North America