Ride Review: Ducati 1199 Panigale

Fresh from the Ducati 1199 Panigale international press launch at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, our friends from OmniMoto.it have been kind enough to share their experience on Ducati’s newest flagship model, since Asphalt & Rubber wasn’t one of the American publications invited to test Borgo Panigale’s latest creation. Our Italian brother in arms, OmniMoto‘s Lorenzo Gargiulo shares his initiation to the 1199, while riding around one the world’s most expensive race circuits…the lucky bastard. With much thanks to him, enjoy Lorenzo’s review and continue to countdown the months until A&R will get its own chance to flog the Ducati 1199 Panigale in a similar manner.

Yas Marina Circuit + Troy Bayliss + Ducati 1199 Panigale S

The International press launch of the Ducati 1199 Panigale is underway in Abu Dhabi this week, with initial reports on Ducati’s flagship superbike being very positive. A track usually reserved for cars, not bikes, the Yas Marina Circuit is really something to behold. Situated on a man-made island off the Abu Dhabi coast, the Middle-Eastern track cost a cool $1.32 billion to construct back in 2009, and holds the distinction for being one of Formula One’s night races. While we wait for the Panigale to come across the Atlantic Ocean, Ducati has put together this video of Troy Bayliss taking a lap around the 21 turns of the Yas Marina Circuit. It’s an oddly edited video, but should bring grins to the Ducatisti in your life.

Ducati Valued at €1 Billion – Acquisition Talks Continue

With nothing coming to fruition on the Mercedes deal, Ducati again made waves in August when it was reported that the company was interested in making a private stock offering in 2012. Today’s news of course is the logical extension of that announcement, as it is both 2012 and Investindustrial is rumored to be in talks with several possible private buyers for Ducati. While none of this news should surprise anyone, what is of note is the price tag being attached to Ducati is €1 billion.

A New Aprilia RSV4 for 2014?

It seems a bit silly to be talking about the 2014 model year when we are only into our second month of 2012. However, such is the case today because a certain Max Biaggi let it slip during the Aprilia Racing Team’s World Superbike presentation that 2012 would be the penultimate season for the Aprilia RSV4 Factory APRC. Adding that Aprilia would not be developing its race bike for the 2013 season, the signs would seemingly indicate that a new liter bike model from the Italian manufacturer is on the horizon for 2014.

Update on the Bottpower BOTT XR-1

The Bottpower BOTT XR-1: A racier and more custom version of the Harley-Davidson XR1200X (The BOTT XR-1 is actually based off a Buell motor), Bottpower has done such a good job making the Buell look Alana Blanchard hot that the Voltron generation will forget all about the reasons their didn’t like the Bar & Shield brand in the first place, and instantly liquidate their pre-IPO Facebook stock in order to make room for Bottpower’s work in their marina-view apartments. Needless to say, I like what’s going on here.

14 Photos of the 2012 World Superbike Spec Aprilia RSV4

Aprilia was in Milan today, unveiling its 2012 World Superbike team with Max Biaggi and Eugene Laverty. For this season, Aprilia Racing is outfitting its RSV4 race bikes with the company’s classic black & red livery, a break from the white Alitalia paint scheme from last year. Unable to defend his #1 plate, the 40-year-old Max Biaggi will return to racing with his “3″ on the front of his RSV4. Eager to regain World Superbike’s top position, Biaggi’s toughest competition could come from his own teammate. His second season in World Superbike, Laverty has shown a great deal of promise already on the Aprilia. Keep your eye on the Irishman for some podiums in 2012.

Video: 2011 AFM Banquet Film – Death to Second Place

The oldest racing organization in the country dedicated soley to motorcycle road racing, the AFM is a Northern Californian non-profit racing organization that has helped hone the skills of riders like Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Kenny Roberts, and Steve Rapp — not mention a weekend warrior or two. Each year the racing league comes together for a banquet, and lately the tradition has been to include a highlight film of the year’s racing. I’m not sure what films in the past have been like, but if the latest AFM banquet video doesn’t give you goosebumps, you might want to check your pulse. Bonus points for the including the Versus “Second Place” monologue — it’s very apropos.

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb 2011 – The Ducati Story

Grab some popcorn, because this video from Ducati North America is over 14 minutes long. Telling the story of Ducati at the 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), DNA has put together a great video that really captures how special the racing is at Pikes Peak, and how gorgeous the scenery is of the Colorado Mountains. With Santa Barbara Ducati’s Carlin Dunne winning the overall motorcycle category on his dealership’s Multistrada 1200 demo model, Alexander Smith from the Spider Grips Ducati Team made it a double podium for Ducati in the 1205cc class. If you’re new to racing at Pikes Peak, or wanted a quick re-cap of last year’s race, Ducati’s video pretty accurately sums up racing on the mountain and the anxiety around last year’s race.

Ducati Announces Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Team with Carlin Dunne & Greg Tracy

Ducati has announced its factory team for the 2012 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC), and the Italian company has secured the services of last-year’s winner and Rookie of the Year Carlin Dunne as well as six-time PPIHC winner Greg Tracy. Ducati has also partnered with the Spider Grips team, who will help prepare the teams Ducati Multistrada 1200 for the “Race to the Clouds” on July 8th. For 2012, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will be fully-paved to the top of the mountain, which will surely see the speeds of competitors increase, and lap times drop on the 12.42 mile long course that ends at 14,110 feet.

Cutaway Photos of the Ducati Superquadro Engine

I was flipping through some photos from the 2011 EICMA show, and found these shots of the Ducati 1199 Panigale’s Superquadro engine. Unfortunately at the show, Ducati had its 1199cc v-twin motor behind a Lexan case, which created a bit of a glare, reflections, and of course had smudges from the touchy-feely Italian crowd. But still, the photos give a good idea of what’s going on in Ducati’s most-advanced production engine to date, and are better than just looking at the CAD renders. If you look at the shots very closely, you can almost see where the 195hp and 98 lbs•ft of torque is lurking inside.

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang

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Thu, February 2nd, 2012 @ 1:21 am, by Jensen Beeler15 COMMENTS
Home » Racing » MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang HRC Sepang Test Day 2 Casey Stoner 3 635x421

Testing continues in Sepang, as MotoGP riders continued their first week of shaking down the new 1,000cc era machines. For the second day of testing, teams spent the sessions comparing settings and parts to the previous day, looking for clearer paths of development. For Yamaha, this meant testing suspension and electronic settings, while Honda tried different chassis with Casey Stoner. With weather hot and humid, Stefal Bradl got baptized with his first MotoGP gravel trap excursion, though the German was thankfully uninjured from the spill.

Progress on the all-new factory GP12 continued in the Ducati Corse garage, though the Italian team was short a rider after Nicky Hayden parked his bike after 16 laps. The American rider has been struggling with his broken shoulder, which still lacked the strength to properly ride at the Malaysian track. Quiting the day’s session earliy, Ducati’s test rider Franco Battaini took over for Hayden, and completed the day’s work with Valentino Rossi. Photos and results after the jump.

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang Ducati Corse Sepang Day 2 Valentino Rossi 01 635x422

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang Yamaha Racing Sepang Day 2 Ben Spies 2 635x423

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang Yamaha Racing Sepang Day 2 Jorge Lorenzo 4 635x422

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang HRC Sepang Test Day 2 Alvaro Bautista 4 635x421

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang HRC Sepang Test Day 2 Dani Pedrosa 1 635x421

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang HRC Sepang Test Day 2 Stefan Bradl 2 635x421

MotoGP: Test Results & Photos from Day 2 at Sepang HRC Sepang Test Day 2 Honda team 2 635x421

Test Results from Day 2 at Sepang, Malaysia:

Pos.RiderTeamTimeDiff.Diff. to LeaderLaps
1Casey StonerRepsol Honda Team2:00.895--29
2Ben SpiesYamaha Factory Racing2:01.052+0.157+0.15737
3Jorge LorenzoYamaha Factory Racing2:01.068+0.016+0.17340
4Dani PedrosaRepsol Honda Team2:01.508+0.440+0.61335
5Cal CrutchlowMonster Yamaha Tech 32:01.565+0.057+0.67042
6Hector BarberaPramac Racing Team2:01.788+0.223+0.89350
7Valentino RossiDucati Team2:01.886+0.098+0.99144
8Alvaro BautistaSan Carlo Honda Gresini2:01.933+0.047+1.03846
9Andrea DoviziosoMonster Yamaha Tech 32:02.160+0.227+1.26542
10Nicky HaydenDucati Team2:02.354+0.194+1.45941
11Stefan BradlLCR Honda2:02.414+0.060+1.51941
12Karel AbrahamCardion AB Motoracing2:02.598+0.184+1.70366
13Katsuyuki NakasugaYamaha Factory2:02.941+0.343+2.04640
14Franco BattainiDucati Team2:04.311+1.370+3.41638
15Colin EdwardsNGM Mobile Forward Racing2:05.603+1.292+4.70837
16Ivan SilvaAvintia Racing2:10.297+4.694+9.40216
17Jordi TorresAvintia Racing2:11.893+1.596+10.9982
18Robertino PietriAvintia Racing2:12.546+0.653+11.6515

Ducati Corse Testing at Sepang – Day 2

Yamaha Racing Testing at Sepang – Day 2

HRC Testing at Sepang – Day 2

Source: MotoGP; Photos: Ducati, HRC, & Yamaha

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Comment:

  1. New Zealand Dan says:
    February 2, 2012 at 1:32 AM

    Looked at the pic of stoner stepping the rear out and thought ‘bloody aussie at it again’

    then looked at the rossi pic and laughed at it’s brazenness.

    great shots.

  2. MP says:
    February 2, 2012 at 6:16 AM

    Funny NZ Dan,

    I sent the photo of Stoner to a friend, pointing out the big oversteer….then I scrolled down and caught that vale photo and had the same reaction that you did. He looks way more comfortable on the GP12 for sure.

  3. Damo says:
    February 2, 2012 at 7:54 AM

    Kinda wish Yamaha would leave their livery like that for the rest of the season…it looks badass.

  4. irksome says:
    February 2, 2012 at 8:02 AM

    Rossi wouldn’t be stepping it out if he wasn’t comfortable with the front end. This is a good thing.

  5. John says:
    February 2, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    Yeah, I don’t think he could have gotten away with this on the GP11. Things are looking good.

  6. Dc4go says:
    February 2, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Looks like we might see some great racing tjis year!!! Hopefully the Stones warm up quickly and last 75 % of the race so the field is a little closer and passes are made…. So if u try to make a get away from the pack u risk coming back to the field once the tires start going off. Break away or conserve a little ?????

  7. Westward says:
    February 2, 2012 at 9:11 AM

    Would have liked to see more close ups and angles of Rossi going around. Want more than one picture to be able to access his comfort with the all new GP12…

    I noticed some have the lever guards and others did not. Are they only mandatory for day, I’m thinking thats the case, or is it not an official rule yet?

  8. Westward says:
    February 2, 2012 at 9:12 AM

    *Are they only mandatory for “RACE” day

  9. Odie says:
    February 2, 2012 at 9:21 AM

    It does seem like power sliding through a corner requires good front end feel.
    Maybe The G.O.A.T can finally race like we all know he can.

  10. M says:
    February 2, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Want more than one picture to be able to access his comfort with the all new GP12

    assess

  11. Halfie 30 says:
    February 2, 2012 at 3:31 PM

    That Rossi pic pu a big smile on my face. We should have a wonderful season of racing ahead. I’m interested in how Jorge will react to Spies being there or there abouts this season. Seeing as though he thinks it’s his show there… LOL. Hopefully his season makes a good look on prototype racing.

  12. Halfie 30 says:
    February 2, 2012 at 3:32 PM

    *this season

  13. mxs says:
    February 2, 2012 at 4:24 PM

    Wow the gap (1.2) between Rossi and Stoner is still as big as it was last year. And that’s with Stoner basically far from fit (with his wonky back) and only with few laps in, compared to Rossi.

    If I was Rossi, I am not feeling to good about this, but I guess all is relative.

  14. irksome says:
    February 3, 2012 at 6:06 AM

    But .6 behind Lorenzo on Day 2 aboard a wholly reworked frame? Methinks they’re pleased.

  15. irksome says:
    February 3, 2012 at 6:07 AM

    Sorry, just read Day 3 results…

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