In a surprising move, Ducati, primarily known for its dominance in the world of MotoGP, has announced the launch of an ambitious motocross program. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer has teamed up with none other than motocross legend, Tony Cairoli, for this new venture.

Tony Cairoli, a name synonymous with motocross success, has won multiple World Championships and is considered one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport. His partnership with Ducati signals the brand’s serious intentions to make a mark in the motocross arena.

Details about the program remain under wraps, but insiders suggest that Ducati is investing heavily in research and development to produce a competitive motocross bike. The collaboration with Cairoli is expected to provide valuable insights and feedback to the Ducati engineering team, ensuring that the bike is tailored to meet the demands of professional motocross racing.

This move by Ducati is seen by many as a strategic expansion of its motorsport portfolio. While the brand has achieved significant success on the tarmac, entering the dirt track world of motocross presents a new set of challenges and opportunities. With Cairoli on board, Ducati aims to leverage his expertise and experience to fast-track its motocross program’s success.

The motocross community has expressed excitement and curiosity about this unexpected collaboration. Many are eager to see how Ducati’s engineering prowess, combined with Cairoli’s unparalleled skills, will shape the future of motocross racing.

It remains to be seen how this partnership will evolve and what impact it will have on the motocross world. However, one thing is certain: with two giants of the motorsport world coming together, fans can expect some thrilling action and innovations in the coming years.

O conteúdo Breaking News: Ducati Launches Ambitious Motocross Program with Tony Cairoli aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Pole-sitter Luca Marini finished the Sprint race in second position yesterday, ending today’s long race early, through no fault of his own, but because he was hit by Brad Binder.

In a debrief, the Italian rider of the Mooney VR46 explained that there was nothing he could do to avoid the collision, showing himself satisfied with the weekend and not being resentful of Brad Binder:

– No, it was impossible (to dodge), I just saw a flash and fart, that was it. But Brad went to my garage, and I explain everything to me, so now I’m less upset because he said that when he went to the kerb he had a moment with the bike and sometimes it happens that the front pads open. This has happened to me this weekend too and I know that feeling. It was just bad luck in my case. It’s something I can’t control, but I’m more disappointed with my start because my start wasn’t that good, but then when Jorge passed me on the straight, I had to close the throttle because I was almost crashing because of my front tyre and I lost two positions there that for this case, caused me not to be in the correct position for my run. And anyway, it was a good weekend for me, the speed was good, and we’ll see how my physical condition is at Phillip Island, if it’s a bit better. I hope so.

Marini was also asked about the weekend as a whole and if he expected to achieve the results, he achieved in Mandalika, showing that he was somewhat surprised with the way things went, with the certainty that he could fight for the podium without today’s bad luck:

– The race was a bit strange (Sprint), as was the podium. Nobody expected the podium like that. We knew that Maverick could be strong and Jorge the strongest today but seeing the lap times and the pace that everyone had, I could have fought for the podium easily because today was also cold, with the wind. And especially with the rear medium the bike is easier to ride in the physical department, because with less grip the bike wobbles much less, so the effort you must apply to the handlebar is much less…

O conteúdo ‘It was just bad luck’ – Luca Marini aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jorge Martin will enter the long race at Mandalika in the lead of the championship, having taken victory in today’s Sprint. It is known that the Ducati riders share the data with each other, and Martin did not hide, in statements after the race, that he looks at his rival’s data, to understand what is going on with the #1:

– No, I always look at Pecco’s data and try to see what he is doing during the weekend and his settings. I look to see how the situation is, but then I need to work on my set-up and be focused on my driving style and set-up. I can’t help you.

Regarding tomorrow’s race, Jorge Martin was confident, especially after being able to test the medium tyre:

– I’m happy because I was the only one who worked with the medium rear tyre this morning and I think it’s a positive thing because I know the tyre better, it’s working well and maybe it’s not easy under braking, but it will certainly last a lot longer than the soft. Today the soft, you saw by Maverick the tyre was completely destroyed after 7/8 laps, and the medium is much more constant, and I managed to do 1.31, which is similar to what we were doing at the end of the race (Sprint). So, I think that after 8 laps there will be a cross between the soft and the medium, and I hope I can benefit from the laps I did.

O conteúdo “You saw by Maverick that the tyre was completely destroyed’ – Jorge Martín aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The championship has a new leader almost half a year later, as we have already reported here. Jorge Martin has been in unbelievable form, decimating the competition and doing what he wants with his bike.

Today, in the Mandalika Sprint, the #89 was once again impeccable, getting a lot of overtaking, starting from 6th to finish the race in 1st position. In a debrief, Martin said he was very happy, saying that he even doubted if he would be able to overtake Brad Binder:

– I’m very happy, today was a difficult race because I started sixth, maybe it wasn’t the best position, but I was able to overtake a lot of riders and on a track where it’s usually difficult, so hopefully tomorrow we can do it again. (…) I wasn’t in the best position, that’s for sure. When I got to the first corner, I was in the dirty part, so I couldn’t overtake, I was just holding the position. Then, step by step I was overtaking some riders, and I was feeling really good, and I thought I wouldn’t even be able to overtake Brad, but in the end I overtook everyone. So, I’m very, very happy, even if I was managing the rear tyre a little bit, because it was difficult to take to the end, because the soft is very soft. I’m very proud of the work and we’ll see how I can improve.

Martin also said that the circuit has been gaining grip, despite the ideal race line remaining very narrow, noting that the problem in qualifying was that he recorded his best lap on the hard tyre:

– I think it’s getting cleaner every time we go out and that’s why we’re going faster. Today with the used soft tyres I did the same time as in qualifying with the new ones. The track is not bad, but as you say, it’s difficult to overtake because you only have about 1.5m to make the line, so you have to be very smart to prepare well for overtaking two or three corners before and I did that, and it was working. (…) I crashed on the new tyre and then on the hard tyre in front it was completely impossible. I was 4 tenths better than yesterday’s (Friday) time in sector 1, so it would have been 1.30 down or 1.29 for sure, but I almost crashed at Turn 5 and then when I crashed and came back into the pits I had to go out with a hard front and I gave as much as I could.

The new championship leader also made it clear that, despite appearing to be extremely comfortable on the bike, he gave 100% of himself to win the Sprint race:

– Yes, of course (I gave 100%). If not, it’s impossible to win. We’re in MotoGP and if you don’t take risks, starting from 6th to overtake champions like Fabio (Quartararo) and other riders, it’s very complicated.

O conteúdo ‘We are in MotoGP and if you don’t risk it…’ – Jorge Martin aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Jorge Martin finished Friday with the fifth fastest time, less than a second behind Aleix Espargaro who led and broke the track record. Still, Francesco Bagnaia’s absence from Q2 was noted by Martin who says he is happy with his bike, stating that he hopes to see the world champion in Q2:

– Well, it’s working well (the bike), in terms of pace I feel good, it was just Aleix who was one step above everyone else, but compared to Maverick I feel a bit stronger. I’m still in doubt with the front tyre, to try to understand its normal wear, we started to lose grip after 4/5 laps so it’s difficult, I have to test more tyres than I’m used to, but with the hard front I felt good in the afternoon, not in the morning and I was competitive. Then in the time attack I had a great moment, so I stopped and did the second attempt and it was difficult, but the important thing is that we are in Q2 and we will try again tomorrow. (…) Yes, I saw that he was left out and it’s a bit strange of him to have been left out of Q2 like that, but for sure he will go to Q2. The point is that he’ll have one less tyre if he can advance (to Q2), so it’s important, it’s like it’s his first mistake, let’s put it that way. The important thing is that we are inside (Q2) and we will try to focus on the race in FP3.

Still asked in a debrief about the weather conditions, Jorge Martin said he felt good, explaining that the Indonesian circuit is a fluid layout, not very physical:

– In the morning I felt good here. Not like in India that in the afternoon I was already fighting a lot, right in FP2, I was fighting a lot. I feel comfortable, and I feel like it’s not going to happen the same as in India, I hope, and it’s not a very physical track, we have to ride smoothly. I need to work a little bit on the bike, the maps and the power, but the bike is working really well and the set-up is almost perfect so that.

O conteúdo ‘I feel like it’s not going to happen the same as in India’ – Jorge Martín aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The motorcycle racing world was abuzz with the potential “exchange of the century”: Marc Marquez for Gigi Dall’Igna, or vice versa. The idea was to swap the most accomplished active rider for the most skilled engineer in the paddock. However, the dynamics of MotoGP don’t exactly work that way. As a result, Ducati retained its chief engineer and also acquired the Spanish champion.

As rumors had been suggesting, Honda tried to lure Gigi Dall’Igna. In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, Dall’Igna confirmed these speculations. He explained his decision to decline Honda’s offer, stating, “I am comfortable at Ducati. I’ve worked hard to get Ducati to a position where it’s considered a model. Leaving now might not have been logical. While I’ve achieved what I set out to do here, Honda presents an equally interesting and significant challenge.”

The challenge would have been immense, especially working with the Japanese, who have a very different mindset from the West. It remains a mystery whether Dall’Igna would have been able to influence that mindset.

Honda’s move to approach a European engineer is unprecedented. Historically, they’ve always preferred to keep things in-house, relying on their Japanese engineers. This shift can be interpreted in two ways. On one hand, it might indicate a sign of weakness, acknowledging that recent MotoGP innovations, like aerodynamics and lowering devices, which originated in Europe, have left them trailing. On the other hand, it could show Honda’s willingness to evolve, recognizing their shortcomings and being open to external influences.

Dall’Igna is curious to see Marquez’s performance on the Desmosedici. While he has no doubts about Marquez’s competitiveness, he’s keen to see how his presence might disrupt the internal dynamics of the team. “This is a concern, one of the challenges to face,” Dall’Igna mentioned. “We’ll need to skillfully manage strong riders with strong personalities. Beyond Marc, we already have a significant concentration of champions. Another one is coming, perhaps more prominent, but it’s a job we know how to do.”

O conteúdo Honda has tried to make the “exchange of the century”: Marc Marquez for Gigi Dall’Igna aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

With the third episode of World Première 2024, Ducati unveils the new DesertX Rally (link to watch the episode here).

From the DesertX, the first Ducati equipped with 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels, comes the new DesertX Rally model. Characterized by components born in competition, the DesertX Rally adopts quality solutions that are both specialized and effective in off-road use, and sophisticated.

Developed and tested also on the track, the DesertX Rally prototype was the protagonist of the Iron Road Prologue at the Erzbergrodeo 2023 with Antoine Meo (multiple World Enduro Champion and European Supercross Champion), who took it to the top step of the podium in the twin-cylinder category (video illustrating Meo’s achievements here).

Like all Ducati bikes, the DesertX Rally has a unique and distinctive style. However, it’s thanks to the technical equipment that the Rally becomes a true off-road bike.

The raised front mudguard guarantees handling even in particularly difficult terrain conditions, the Kayaba suspensions with increased travel, closed cartridge fork and shock absorber with larger piston, derive from motocross and allow the rider to overcome any obstacle, while the new central spoked rims with dimensions and characteristics specific to off-road competitions make the Rally a complete motorcycle on any type of terrain. These solutions, together with a light and resistant carbon sump guard, machined selector and brake pedal, unequivocally identify the Rally as a bike designed to tackle the most extreme adventures.

Cycling

The DesertX Rally’s suspension has been designed to tackle the toughest obstacles, enhancing the DesertX’s off-road capabilities. Both the fork and the shock absorber are, in fact, characterized by the same technologies used in professional cross and enduro bikes.

On the front axle, the DesertX Rally is equipped with new, rigid and lightweight aluminum steering tables. The fork is a closed-cartridge KYB, a technology used on motocross and enduro racing bikes.

This solution involves pressurizing the oil inside the cartridges to prevent cavitation, thus guaranteeing homogeneous and consistent front suspension behaviour and the necessary support during the most extreme use.

In addition, to improve smoothness and resistance to wear, the sheaths are equipped with a Kashima coating and the jugs with a DLC surface treatment. Wheel travel has been increased by 20 mm, to a total of 250 mm.

At the rear we find an aluminum swingarm with a different attachment point compared to the standard DesertX, with a fully adjustable shock absorber with a larger piston, to improve the bike’s handling in the most demanding off-road use. Rear wheel travel is increased by 20 mm, to a total of 240 mm. Finally, to improve handling on the most demanding off-road terrain, the DesertX Rally is equipped with an adjustable Öhlins steering damper, fixed directly to the handlebars with aluminum brackets machined from the block.

The new suspensions have allowed the DesertX Rally to increase its minimum ground clearance, which is now 280 mm (30 mm more than the standard version), to allow it to overcome even the most difficult obstacles.

Always with a view to improving off-road performance, the DesertX Rally is equipped with rims characterized by specific off-road measurements, more robust and lighter thanks to hubs machined from the block, carbon steel central spokes and high-strength Takasago Excel rims with air chamber.

Finally, to underline the versatility of the DesertX Rally, as with the DesertX, a triple homologation is planned for the tires, with the Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR offered as original equipment. To improve its off-road capabilities, the Scorpion Rally can be fitted, while for those who prefer to ride the bike on asphalt, the Scorpion Trail II is available.

Thanks to the use of high-level components, the DesertX is only one kilo heavier than the standard model, despite the increase in the length and size of the suspension.

Engine and electronics

The DesertX Rally is equipped with the 937 cc Ducati Testastretta 11° twin-cylinder engine with desmodromic distribution. Maximum power is 110 hp at 9,250 rpm and maximum torque 92 Nm at 6,500 rpm. This engine, characterized by a regular and controllable power delivery to tackle any course, has been optimized for off-road thanks to dedicated gear ratios and specific strategies and calibration of the electronic systems.

The DesertX Rally’s six Riding Modes (Sport, Touring, Urban, Wet, Enduro, Rally) feature Cornering ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) recalibrated in line with the new cycling style and for more challenging off-road use.

The DesertX Rally’s electronic functions are managed via the high-resolution 5″ vertically oriented TFT screen, positioned to offer optimum visibility even when riding while standing up. This screen has been designed for integration with the Ducati Multimedia System, which allows connection to the smartphone, thus activating new functions such as music control, call management and ‘Turn by Turn’ navigation* (optional) with directions displayed directly on the dashboard. In addition, the DesertX Rally offers the standard ‘Utility Bar’ for mounting the GPS.

Service intervals for the DesertX Rally are every 15,000 km or 24 months, valve clearance check every 30,000 km. The DesertX Rally will also be available in a 35 kW version, for A2 license holders.

Accessories and equipment

The DesertX Rally has all the essential components for off-road use fitted as standard, but those who want to customize it can do so by choosing from the Ducati Performance accessories catalog. To increase autonomy, it is possible to fit the additional 8-liter tank, which guarantees almost 40% more capacity, perfectly integrated into the lines of the bike. Aluminum side cases are also available, which, combined with the top case, give the bike a load capacity of almost 120 liters. For travelers who never stop, there are additional LED spotlights and heated grips.

Steel tube engine guards protect the tank and engine from falls or impacts during off-road use. Finally, enthusiasts who want to make the bike look even sportier can choose the Termignoni homologated exhaust. Those who want to use the DesertX Rally in competition can improve the power and torque figures by 7% with the competition exhaust, again from Termignoni.

Enthusiasts who want to complete their image will be able to choose from various specialized equipment proposals, with graphics coordinated with the DesertX Rally’s color scheme. The collection, which also includes the women’s line, consists of an Explorer jacket-pants set, Atacama gloves, Explorer T7 boots and an Arai Tour-X5 helmet.

DesertX Rally will be available from authorized retailers from January 2024. Check with your authorized retailer for more information.

O conteúdo Ducati DesertX Rally – unique and distinctive style aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Gigi Dall’Igna, the head of Ducati Corse, hasn’t officially announced that Marc Marquez will be joining the Gresini team in 2024. However, he’s openly pondering how to manage the Spaniard once he’s on a GP23. Dall’Igna recognizes Marquez’s speed and talent but also knows that he can be challenging to handle. This realization has led to the belief that Marquez’s inclusion will shake up the dynamics within the Ducati camp.

The current season has seen a tight race between Ducati riders Jorge Martin and Pecco Bagnaia. With only three points separating them after the Japanese Grand Prix and 222 points still up for grabs, the question on everyone’s mind is: Who will come out on top?

Marc Marquez has weighed in on the debate. Speaking to AS, he said, “For me, it will be Jorge Martin. Their speed is very similar, and they both have their strengths. But Martin has nothing to lose, and Bagnaia has everything.” Marquez believes that since Martin isn’t part of the official team and hasn’t won a championship yet, he’s in a position where he can only gain. On the other hand, Bagnaia, being part of the official team, is under pressure to win.

Marquez also observed that Martin is currently in top form, saying, “When you have that extra concentration and speed, everything comes out, and you feel that sensation with the bike.”

Aleix Espargaró shares Marquez’s sentiments. He commented on Martin’s impressive performance during the free practice session at Motegi, stating that it’s a clear indication of his potential to win the championship.

The possibility of Jorge Martin becoming the first privateer MotoGP World Champion is intriguing, especially considering Marquez will have a similar status with Gresini. However, this would be a blow to Pecco Bagnaia, marking him as the first official rider to be beaten to the title by a privateer from the same brand. It raises the question: Would Ducati allow the number 1 plate to move from an official bike to a satellite one? Enea Bastianini is undoubtedly watching the situation closely.

O conteúdo Marc Márquez creates chaos within Ducati: ‘Jorge Martin Will Be World Champion Because He Has Nothing to Lose, Unlike Pecco Bagnaia’ aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

Yesterday’s victory in race 1 of the World Superbike Championship saw Alvaro Bautista take another step towards revalidating the category’s world title and confirmed Ducati’s 19th title in the Constructors’ World Championship.

With the 25 points scored by the spaniard at the Algarve circuit, the italian manufacturer has mathematically secured the title with five races still to go – two today and three more at Jerez.

The spaniard has been largely responsible for this achievement, given the tremendous year he is having in the category once again, and he himself has a chance of becoming drivers’ champion today.

This title means another trophy for Michael Ruben Rinaldi and Axel Bassani, who will be leaving the manufacturer at the end of this year, as well as the first for Danilo Petrucci in the category.

Ducati won with 605 points, 102 more than Yamaha with 99 points still up for grabs.

O conteúdo Alvaro Bautista «offers» Ducati the Manufacturers’ title at the World Superbike Championship in Portimao aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.

The Diavel V4, with its unmistakable design, continues its world tour in the “Ducati Diavel V4 Design Nights”. Following the success of the evenings in Amsterdam (Klibansky Gallery), Paris (Sinner Paris), Brussels (TheMerode Club), London (The Gherkin), New York (Moonlight Studios) and Kyoto (Tofukuji Temple), the new Ducati model was also presented to enthusiasts in China, at an exclusive event organized by the Borgo Panigale company at the Museum of Art Pudong, in the center of Shanghai.

The presentation took place at the Museum of Modern Art and was attended by more than 200 Ducatisti, media and VIPs, who, after listening to a speech by Ducati China General Manager Luca Battiloro and a live sketch of the bike by a designer from the Ducati Style Center, stayed on the roof of the building for an evening full of music and entertainment. For all the participants, it was an opportunity to see the new Diavel V4 up close and personal and to focus on the design of a family of motorcycles that, over the years, has become a true global style icon.

As part of the “Diavel V4 Design Night” in Shanghai, Ducati created an integrated exhibition in the spaces of the Pudong Art Museum, which tells the evolution of the Diavel family design, highlighting all the innovations of the Diavel V4.

The light clusters of the new Diavel V4 are dramatic and contribute to unequivocally defining its aesthetic, particularly at the rear with the unprecedented array of spot LEDs. Two other features of the bike that immediately catch the eye are the imposing 240 mm wide rear tire with five-spoke alloy wheels and the impressive four-outlet silencer.

The main novelty for the muscle cruiser from Borgo Panigale is the introduction of the Granturismo V4. The engine has always been at the heart of the Diavel concept and, in this third generation, it is confirmed as a distinctive element in terms of style, character and performance. Ducati’s designers have therefore started from the V4 Granturismo, enhancing it and making it the protagonist, developing all the other elements that contribute to the Diavel’s style to keep its uniqueness and recognition intact and surprise once again.

The Diavel V4 is available from Ducati dealers in the classic Ducati Red color or in the brilliant Thrilling Black color.

O conteúdo Ducati presents the Diavel V4 in China with “Design Night” in Shanghai aparece primeiro em Motorcycle Sports.