Ducati held their press meeting today, just before tomorrow’s opening of the EICMA motorcycle show. The biggest announcement of course was the new 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200, which will come in three variants, the: 1200 (base), 1200S, and 1200S Touring. All three variants will feature Ducati’s first ABS setup, and the “S” models will have Ducati’s new electronic suspension (DES). More after the jump.
UPDATE: Click here for Ducati’s official unveiling of the Multistrada 1200 at EICMA.
EICMA must be leaking like a sieve, as this is the third leak we’ve gotten ahead of next week’s show (check for a view of the 2010 Aprilia Shiver 750 & 2010 Aprilia Dorsoduro Factory). This time, we’ve gotten pictures of highly anticipated (or is it hyped?) 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200.
These photos appear to be the first official shots of the new Multistrada 1200, and they show off not only the “S” version with its Öhlins suspension, but also give a good look at the bike with its OEM saddle bags (could this be the “T” touring model that was rumored?). Click after the jump to see what the fuss is all about.
It would seem Yamaha isn’t the only manufacturer experiencing a mass exodus. Right on the heels of Livio Suppo leaving the Ducati Corse’s MotoGP team, comes the announcement that Davide Tardozzi, head of Ducati’s World Superbike team and personal manager to Michel Fabrizio, will be leaving the team.
Want further proof that HRC is trying to buy their success in 2010? Just confirmed is the news that Livio Suppo will be leaving Ducati Corse for HRC. After 11 years with Ducati, Suppo for many reasons has been the driving force and ethos of the Corse team. His departure signals not only an active acquisition strategy at HRC, but also a shake-up at Ducati Corse. While Suppo cites HRC’s offer as an opportunity difficult to resist, there seems to be some speculation about his departure being related to Ducati Corse courting Valentino Rossi for the 2011 season. Helping fuel this rumor is the fact that former Ducati test rider, Vito Guareschi, will take over as the new team manager.
A lot of time has gone by since Wayne Gardner won the 1987 500GP World Championship or the 8 Hours of Suzuka, but that didn’t stop the Austrialian motorcycling icon from doing the rounds at the WSBK Portimao testing paddock this past week. Hoping on a variety of bikes, Gardner got a chance to see what WSBK riders were dealing with this past season, and gave GPone his thoughts on how each bike performed around the Portuguese track. Click past the jump for his thoughts and a video.
It looks like Aleix Espargaro will be replacing Niccolo Canpea a little bit earlier than planned at the Pramac Ducati team. Canepa, who was scheduled to lose his ride to Espargaro after the final round of MotoGP, has just announced that he won’t be racing at Valencia because he is still recovering from his skin transplant caused be his crash at Phillip Island a month ago.
Ducati has officially acknowledged the existence of the upcoming Multistrada 1200, making a dedicated mini site for the adventure tourer. There’s not a lot there now in regards to information (there’s only a countdown timer to EICMA and a teaser video), but it does at least confirm the rumor of the bike’s name not being Stradaperta (we still like that name better). We’ll be in Milan in 10 days, bringing you as much information about the most hyped Ducati to date. Video and pictures after the jump
After Noriyuki Haga lost the WSBK Championship, Davide Tardozzi, team Manager for Xerox Ducati, came under a lot of fire for letting Michel Fabrizio compete against his teammate Haga.
Citing points lost at Imola, and Fabrizio’s 1st place finish in Race 2 of Portimao, many think Tardozzi should have put the hand-cuffs of team orders on the Italian rider. We’ll save that debate for another article, but in a candid moment it seems Tardozzi had his own opinion. Click after the jump for a video you can’t refuse.
It seems Ducati is not going to waste any time in revamping the Hypermotard 1100, after the recent launch of the 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 796 (pictured above) caused some surprise with the public on its subtle design differences, and similar power characteristics.
Due to be unveiled at the upcoming EICMA show in Milan, Italy, the 2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 will get a power boost, as well as a revised chassis, handlebars, and other design bits that will bring the original HM in-line with the 796’s look and power.
The answer? Yes, yes it does. SuperBike Magazine recently got their hands on a Desmosedici RR, and enlisted the help of Dave Sonsky (Super Streetbike Magazine) to see if the $72,000 motorcycle could get a wheel in the air like its race-only brothers. Photos and more after the jump.
There’s a large stigma around China and the motorcycle industry, but Ducati isn’t one to let some misconceptions get in the way of their bottomline. With China rapidly becoming one of the largest motorcycle markets in the world, Ducati has its eyes set on establishing itself as the premium brand of choice for uppity Chinese urbanites, and thus has opened its first Official Ducati store in China this week. More after the jump.