Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano destined to race in Ducati colours for 2014 WSBK
Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano destined to race in Ducati colours for 2014 WSBK
New Blood
Following the announcement of the mutual decision to conclude early the partnership with Team Alstare, Ducati today confirm its participation in the 2014 World Superbike Championship and its agreement with the riders who will compete aboard the Ducati 1199 Panigale motorcycles.
Welsh rider, Chaz Davies, and the Italian, Davide Giugliano, are both now officially confirmed to compete for the Italian manufacturer during the 2014 and 2015 World Superbike seasons. This is an important decision for Ducati, determined to bounce back after a year of disappointing results for the 1199 Panigale, which failed to deliver the results expected in World Superbike despite its considerable success in many national championships and the highly-competitive FIM Superstock Cup.
The new Ducati Superbike riders will immediately join technicians of the Ducati development team to start work 30-31 October at Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), carrying out the first of three test sessions planned for the winter break.
Profiles
Chaz Davies
Was born 10 February, 1987 in Knighton, Wales (UK) and first started racing in minimoto in 1995, winning the championship title in this rookie category the following year and retaining it until 1998. From 2002-2006 he competed at World Championship level in the 125GP category, moving up to 250GP soon after. After additional experience in the AMA championship he was selected to take part in the World Supersport Championship and in 2011 became World Supersport Champion. The following year he moved up to World Superbike, a category in which he scored his first victory in 2012 and three more in 2013.
Davide Giugliano
Was born in Rome on 28 October, 1989 and started his racing career in 2005 by competing in the European Superstock 600 championship, finishing third in the championship the following year. After a year in the World Supersport Championship he switched to FIM Superstock 1000 Cup and in 2011 rode the Ducati 1098 R to championship victory competing for the Althea Racing team. Giugliano made his Superbike debut in 2011, riding as a wildcard at Portimão immediately after clinching the Superstock Cup title. In 2012 he became an official rider for the Genesio Bevilacqua team alongside Carlos Checa, taking two podiums and closing the season 10th overall. In 2013, he achieved one pole position and two more podiums in the World Superbike series, finishing the championship in 6th position.
Source: DucatiForum.co.uk
- Published in Motorcycles
Ducati 1199 Superleggera
Ducati 1199 Superleggera, Ducati has finally released full details of the 1199 Superleggera limited edition superbike. Magnesium and titanium abound, and the combined weight loss results in a bike weighing just 155kg dry – 177kg fully wet and ready to ride.
That’s not a lot of weight to push around, and with a claimed output of ‘in excess of 200bhp’, you’re unlikely to ever feel short of the necessary grunt to do it. With just 500 examples of this ultimate iteration of the Panigale being created at the Borgo Panigale factory, there’s little chance of them clogging up the window display at your local dealer any time soon. Each bike will sport an individually numbered engraved top yoke bearing its identity.
The foundations of the Superleggera are built on the already extreme 1199 Panigale R, with almost every item of common metal replaced by something lighter. The monocoque frame is magnesium, as are the forged Marchesini wheels and front subframe.
Continuing the weight-loss regime, the rear subframe and all the fairing panels are carbon fibre, while a lithium-ion battery (LIB) and full titanium exhaust system with stainless steel headers each contribute further.
A good proportion of the bolts and fasteners on both engine and chassis are also titanium. It all adds up. The fork is upgraded to a lightweight Öhlins FL916 item, with fully-machined fork bottoms supporting the Superleggera’s Brembo M50 Monobloc brakes.
Taking care of the rear end is an Öhlins TTX36 shock, complete with a titanium spring. Even the rear sprocket gets the treatment, fashioned from lightweight Ergal, and running a World Superbike-spec 520 drive chain.
The Superquadro engine, which already boasted titanium con-rods and inlet valves in R spec, now adds titanium exhaust valves, and, for the first time on a Ducati road bike, special two-ring pistons. Added to this is a super-lightened crankshaft, precision balanced using dense tungsten inserts. There’s also a track-only ‘Race Kit’. The kit, which increases power by a further 5bhp, and reduces weight by 2.5kg to an incredible 152.5kg (dry), comprises a titanium Akrapovič race exhaust system including silencers and 2-in-1 collector, high racing screen, machined mirror fill-caps, and removal kits for the registration plate holder, and sidestand.
You also get a dedicated dust cover, and front and rear paddock stands, so that you can tuck it away in the garage for winter. With so many changes to the hard parts, it’s no surprise that the Superleggera gets the full benefit of Ducati’s electronic department.
A new Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) system, based on an Inertial Platform, works in conjunction with the Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC), and now gets automatic calibration for the rear- tyre size and final drive ratio – allowing track-specific set-ups to be fully supported by the electronics.
The Ducati Data Analysis+ (DDA+) system gets an additional sensor and software channel too, so that it can record and display vehicle lean angles. You won’t be surprised to learn that it’s only available in Ducati Corse Red, with some areas of bare carbon allowed to show around the edges. The price? Well, if you have to ask… Ok then, it’s £54,000 sir.
The Facts: Ducati 1199 Superleggera
- Engine Type 1198cc Superquadro: L-twin cylinder, 4 titanium valves per cylinder, Desmodromic, liquid cooled, titanium con-rods
- Bore x Stroke 112 x 60.8mm
- Compression Ratio 13.2:1
- Power >200hp (149kw) @ 11,500rpm
- Torque 98.8lb-ft (134Nm) @ 10,200rpm
- Frame Magnesium monocoque
- Front suspension Öhlins FL916 43mm with TiN, fully adjustable usd fork. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment
- Rear suspension Fully adjustable Ohlins TTX36 unit with titanium spring. Electronic compression and rebound damping adjustment. Adjustable linkage: Progressive/flat. Aluminum single-sided swingarm. 4-point adjustable pivot.
- Front brake 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo Monobloc M50 4-piston calipers, Bosch 9ME ABS
- Rear brake 245mm disc, 2-piston caliper
- Fuel tank capacity 17litres
- Dry weight 155kg
- Wet weight 177kg
- Seat height 830mm
Source: MCN
- Published in Motorcycles
Marc Marquez unhurt in practice crash
Marc Marquez unhurt in practice crash, Marc Marquez suffered a scare on the opening day of practice for the Phillip Island MotoGP clash in Australia earlier today when he walked away unhurt from a tumble at the famous Lukey Heights section.
The Spaniard, who could clinch an historic first premier class world title on Sunday, fell on only his third lap in this afternoon’s FP2, but was fortunate to escape any injury.
Marquez was second fastest behind title rival Jorge Lorenzo this morning but lost the rear of his factory RC213V machine at Lukey Heights, which is taken in third gear at close to 95mph.
Marquez, who will be crowned world champion if he scores eight points more than Lorenzo in Sunday’s 27-lap race, said: “I opened the gas in the same place but when I tried to open a little bit more the rear slid out so aggressive, which normally doesn’t happen. But maybe I opened the throttle a little too much and now I know I cannot open more gas in that corner.”
Marquez might have escaped injury but the spill forced him to complete the session on his second RC213V and an experimental geometry setting meant he was only sixth quickest at the end of FP2 and over a second behind Lorenzo.
His best morning pace of 1.29.255 though still put him second on the combined timesheets and he added: “I was happy this morning but in the afternoon I crashed the number one bike and then bike two we tried a big change in the geometry to see what difference it would make.
“But I didn’t like the second bike and then there was no time to change the set-up. For tomorrow we know the way. I just need a little more stability in the front on corner exit.”
Source: MCN By Matthew Birt -MotoGP
- Published in MotoGP
Davies on a Ducati in WSBK for 2014?
Davies on a Ducati in WSBK for 2014? Chaz Davies is rumoured to be closing on a deal that will see him join Ducati for the 2014 World Superbike Championship season, possibly alongside Ben Spies.
Embarking on his second season in the WSBK series, the Welshman is currently fifth in the standings with three wins to his name but is without a ride for 2014 following the announcement that BMW is withdrawing from the series at the end of the year.
With one less factory-assisted team on the grid, Davies’s hopes of landing a similar role with another manufacturer are slimming, particularly as Honda has now confirmed its riders, Kawasaki are expected to keep Loris Baz alongside Tom Sykes, and Aprilia are leaning towards Marco Melandri and Sylvain Guintoli.
Leaving just Suzuki and Ducati as comparative options for 2014, notwithstanding a raft of privateer entrants, Davies is subsequently being targeted by the Italian manufacturer, five years after it approached him to join its MotoGP testing team.
Should a deal come to fruition, Davies could be joined in the team by Ben Spies. The 2009 WSBK champion is understood to be in negotiations to join the Superbike team as a compromise over his faltering two-year deal to race in MotoGP, the American having started just two races this season due to shoulder injuries.
Heading in the other direction, meanwhile, could be Eugene Laverty with the Irishman having revealed he is in talks with Pramac Ducati about joining MotoGP next season.
Despite some public disagreements between himself and Ducati manager Bernhard Gobmeier this year, Francis Batta’s Alstare team is still in line to continue running the ‘de facto’ factory Ducati effort next season, while leading Superstock team Barni Racing is expected to join the series with Niccolo Canepa.
From Crash.net
- Published in Motorcycles
New Ducati Corse General Manager
New Ducati Corse General Manager, Ducati announces the appointment of Mr. Luigi Dall’Igna as the new General Manager of Ducati Corse. Having played key roles for many years in both MotoGP and World Superbike championships, 47-year-old Mr. Dall’Igna has acquired significant experience in the world of motor sport. His expertise will enable the Bologna-based manufacturer to increase its focus on the technical aspects of its racing activity, continuing to lay the foundations for a new phase of development and improving its competitive results. Mr. Dall’Igna will report directly to Ducati Motor Holding CEO, Claudio Domenicali.
Bernhard Gobmeier, who has been the General Manager of Ducati Corse for the past ten months, will return to Germany to pursue the opportunity of a prestigious and strategic position within the Motorsport organisation of the Volkswagen Group. In his new position, the 54-year-old Engineer from Bavaria will continue his upward professional curve within the VW Group.
Paolo Ciabatti, who has been the MotoGP Project Manager since January, is confirmed in his role and will report directly to the new Ducati Corse General Manager, as will 39-year-old Engineer Ernesto Marinelli, Ducati Superbike Project Manager for the past two seasons. The new appointments become effective from 11 November, 2013, immediately after the end of the 2013 racing season.
- Published in Motorcycles
Ducati reveal Senna 1199 Panigale S in Brazil
Ducati reveal Senna 1199 Panigale S in Brazil,
Ducati has unveiled this special edition of its Panigale S to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of F1 star Ayrton Senna.
Unveiled at the Sao Paulo motorcycle show and to be sold in Brazil only just 161 examples will be built to signify the number of GPs raced by the Brazilian star.
The bike replicates the special livery chosen by Senna himself during a visit to the Ducati factory only a few weeks before his last race at Imola in 1994, and later used on a special, limited edition 916 SP ‘Senna’, of which just 300 were built, in 1997 and 1998.
The Panigale version also features a race exhaust and special numbered plaque on the top yoke.
source: ducatiforum.co.uk
images from: Ducati 1199 SENNA per il Brasile – DaiDeGas Forum
- Published in Motorcycles
A torrid weekend for Ducati in the Malaysian heat
A torrid weekend for Ducati in the Malaysian heat,
Early race mistake leaves Andrea Dovizioso finishing well down the order
Andrea Dovizioso
“It was a very difficult race. I made a good start and tried to follow Smith but I made a mistake at turn 14 trying to pass him. You have to brake on angle and I lost the front. I tried to stay on the track but lost the rear so I had to pick up the bike but I was on the asphalt but it was very dirty and I almost crashed. It took me six corners to get the right side of the rear tyre clean afterwards.”
Like the rest of the field Dovizioso struggled with tyre wear problems and the significant drop off in grip of the rear tyre in the hot conditions. When a greasy track surface, due to the higher than expected track temperature, is taken into account it made for a very difficult race for Dovizioso.
After his near miss in the early stages Dovizioso settled into position behind fellow Ducati riders Nicky Hayden and Andrea Iannone, both of whom retired.
Andrea Dovizioso
“I had quite a big drop so I don’t know if they [Hayden and Iannone] had continued the race what sort of pace they could have kept. In these conditions it is difficult for us so the gap [to the front] was bigger. On this track nobody had grip so you need to use the bike differently. You need to make the speed in the middle of the corner and pick up the bike and make acceleration. With our bike we have to open the throttle on angle because the bike doesn’t turn in so we’re waiting and waiting and opening the throttle [gently].”
So what did happen to Nicky Hayden?
An engine failure during Sunday’s Malaysian MotoGP has left Nicky Hayden in a perilous position for the remainder of the 2013 season.
The American, who had switched to his freshest engine for today’s race, retired on lap eight with his Ducati smoking on the front straight.
When asked about the status of his engines for the rest of the year, Hayden said that the team needed to analyse the mileage but admitted that they couldn’t rule out starting from the pit lane at one of the remaining races.
Nicky Hayden
“It was my freshest engine and it’s unfortunate. We just can’t catch a break at the moment. At Philip Island we’ll have to put in an older engine but it was already high mileage so it’s not good. Starting from pit lane [the punishment for opening a sixth engine this season] is a possibility but we’ll obviously look at what we have available.
“I’ve used all my engines so we’ll go back and see the mileage on them. I was hoping to get to the end of the season on these two engines. I know I’ve got one engine with some life but I don’t know if it’s enough to do three more races. I’d hate for it to be Philip Island to start from pit lane because it’s one of my favourite tracks.”
Hayden had made a strong start and was pleased with his early race progress having started the race from eleventh on the grid.
Nicky Hayden
“It wasn’t a good day for us and it’s a real shame because this weekend we have gone better.”I messed up qualifying by riding too conservatively in the wet parts but I was fast in FP4 and was sixth in the warm-up and the closest I’ve been to the front in recent races. The race wasn’t going spectacular but it was better than the last ones and we were pulling away from Dovi and closing up on Smith when I had an engine failure.”
Hayden was given warning about his impending failure but having just come up close behind Bradley Smith he had some hope that the issue was with the Tech 3 Yamaha rider rather than his own machine:
Nicky Hayden
“It was making some bad noises and I had just caught Smith at the last corner and I heard a noise. It was the closest I’d been to him in the whole race so I hoped that maybe it was his bike but when I opened the bike on the exit it was clear that it was smoking and the engine was done. We’ve looked at the engine but don’t have the tools to examine it fully so we’ll send it back to Bologna and see what happened.”
- Published in MotoGP
Shifting into 5th gear with WordPress SEO
Shifting into 5th gear with WordPress SEO,
Our SEO company has kindly been in contact due our hard work at making our website SEO friendly. Below is a short story of our success with Squirrly’s SEO……..
Conquest Carbon is a great company for all you passionate motorcyclists out there, but the appealing sound of the engine was not enough to get across to their online audience. That’s why Squirrlys plugin for WordPress Seo gave them the helping hand in getting on track to become as popular as Valentino Rossi.
Who are Conquest Carbon?
They are a small business near Wimborne that transformed their passion for motorcycles into a successful company. They realized they don’t simply love the sound of the motor, but the perfecting of the engineering masterpiece and the trill of motorcycle speed races.
Their shop specializes in performance parts for Sport bikes and carbon fiber that can be professionally fitted for your motorcycle. The attitude of perfecting the ride to accentuate the adrenaline rush, was there even when they were thinking of WordPress SEO. They operate a policy of 100% customer satisfaction, proved by their work with motorcycle manufactures such as Ducati, Triumph and Yamaha and their showroom and site prove it too.
Squirrly, speeding up the traffic
When they choose the Squirrly plugin for better WordPress SEO, they weren’t searching for the same rush as from being in a racing competition. But by using the Live Assistant they make sure that every article on their blog is at high performance, with the best title and keyword density. It is like the pit garages where you make sure everything is working at high performance before the WordPress SEO big race, getting more people on your site and in your online shop.
The Squirrly keyword research tool helps them keep their motorcycle site clean. It doesn’t matter if it’s presenting reviews of their products or writing about the latest speed race, they always know which words are best suited to bring the right customers to their site. And it doesn’t stop here. In WordPress SEO Squirrly offers detailed analysis about your ranking. About the traffic you get on your every post and on the overall site. How well you stand in social media and the power your content page can generate on the web, are just a few extra information that come in handy to the content creators.
And now each week on their email they get the Audit of their site to tell them how they’ve improved in the last weeks race for traffic. They get to have specific statistics on their site and it’s evolution. They also get tips, so things are pretty straight forward, just how they like to make things for their own customers.
The real results in WordPress SEO
But performance is not credible if not measured. So let’s put it into perspective. Squirrly helped Conquest Carbon perfect their skill in writing content an getting more audience, by increasing their traffic by 500% in just a few months. And the important part is that it got them the right people that are interested in speed racing and motorcycles. Those people are the ones that are going to become their customers in the future. The ones that will appreciate their showroom and their professional attitude.
Our plugin refines their content, so their passion for the adrenaline that only motorcycle rides give you, transpires. We want each one of you, interested in motorbikes to get closer to them. The sooner you find them, the sooner you’ll get on your better performing ride.
- Published in Conquest Racing Parts
Ducati Superbike 899 Panigale to make UK debut at Brands Hatch
Ducati Superbike 899 Panigale to make UK debut at Brands Hatch. The highly-anticipated Ducati 899 Panigale makes its UK debut this weekend at Brands Hatch at the final round of the British Superbike Championship, giving the UK racing public an early glimpse of the latest Ducati Superbike.
The 899 will be on display outside the Ducati hospitality which will be located behind the Pit Straight Grandstand. There will also be a selection of the latest model range to view and Ducati clothing available to purchase in the retail area adjacent to the hospitality unit.
As well as a static display of the 899 Panigale, there will also be a chance to see the bike on track as four-times World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty leads a demonstration lap of the Kent circuit on Sunday at midday. The 899 Panigale will be a familiar sight on UK tracks next year when it will line-up on the grid in the new Ducati TriOptons Cup as a support series for British Superbikes.
This stunning 899 Panigale is intended to provide a new way to access the exclusive world of Ducati Superbikes and is described as a “Supermid” version of the award-winning 1199 Panigale. The 899 still provides the thrill of the flagship model but with the refined character of an everyday road bike.
Its brand new Superquadro engine features a revised bore and stroke for a broad power delivery, producing 148hp (109kW) with a torque of 73lb-ft (10.1kgm). The super-smooth power unit continues to be a fully stressed member of the innovative Panigale monocoque construction, achieving both an outstanding power-to-weight ratio and ride-enhancing agility with a dry weight of 169kg (372.5lb). An 1199 silhouette underlines the family DNA, while the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) and the fully integrated Riding Mode technologies of Ride-by-Wire, triple stage ABS, Ducati Traction Control (DTC) and Engine Brake Control (EBC) continue the benchmark ingenuity introduced with the new generation Superbike.
Price
The 899 Panigale will be available from November, priced a £12,495 in traditional Ducati red with black wheels or a stunning arctic white with red wheels.
For further information on the 899 Panigale and the Ducati TriOptions Cup visit Official Site Ducati UK – Bikes, Equipment, Accessories, Racing, Company, Dealer
- Published in Motorcycles
Triumph Speed Triple R Review
Triumph Speed Triple R Review
| New price | £11,299 |
|---|---|
| Engine size | 1050 cc |
| Power | 133 bhp |
| Top speed | 155 mph |
| Insurance group | 14 of 17 |
The Speed Triple R has the same 133bhp, 1050cc, inline-three cylinder engine as the standard model, but uses a new-design gearbox, which will feature on the next generation of Triumph’s 1050cc triple engines. 10 of the 12 gears have been redesigned with new shafts, selector drums and selector shafts. There are now five, instead of four dogs on each new gear and the new shape and material offer a claimed increase in strength over the old design. Shaft spines are new and are formed instead of cut, reducing friction. The 6th gear ratio is now 3.4% lower.
The motor has loads of grunt, the power delivery is linear and easy to use and there’s enough oomph to easily see the naughty side of 150mph. On-track, the fuelling mid-corner at low speeds is a little snatchy.
The Speed Triple R has new Ohlins NIX fully-adjustable forks and a TTX rear shock, which gives excellent ride quality and loads of feedback and confidence in the corners. Small changes to the damping settings make a noticeable difference to the ride and handling, which you don’t get on cheaper equipment. New forged aluminium wheels are 20% lighter than cast items, reduce inertia and help the Triumph turn and stop better. New Brembo radial monobloc calipers are race-grade and offer a 5% improvement in braking, according to Triumph.
You don’t get any form electronic of rider aids, but the power delivery and chassis is so good, you don’t need them. Triumph offers a switchable ABS version for an extra £600. This R model also has a one-piece handlebar riser cap, carbon fibre radiator cowls and tank cover infil and mudguard pods, made by same company who produce carbon fibre parts for the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. It also has a red painted subframe and accents on the wheels, brake calipers and side panels and black-painted handlebars with an ‘R’ graphic.
Click here to view Triumph speed Triple 1050 Carbon Fibre.
The quality of the new chassis parts is unquestionable and according to reader-feedback inwww.motorcyclenews.com’s Bike Review section on the standard Speed Triple of this generation, there are no reported reliability or build quality problems.
If you want a bike that can genuinely put a smile on your face, road and track, it’s worth the extra cash over the standard model. With its designer labels, it’s now as sexy as any piece of Italian exotica and all the ‘R’ parts alone would tot-up to nearly double the £2500 premium, if you bought them separately – that’s before fitting and figuring out how to set-up the suspension.
It’s cheaper than the Ducati Streetfighter, MV Agusta Brutale 1090RR and the Aprilia Tuono V4R APRC with all the electronics, but more than the Super Duke R and the non-APRC Tuono.
But, if you’re only going to ride the Speed Triple on the road, it’s probably not worth it, like, if we’re honest with ourselves, most special-edition R and SP model super nakeds and superbikes from any manufacturer. The Triumph looks the part, handles and stops brilliantly and has better ride quality, but you only really get these benefits flat-out on-track. The rest of the time, the standard version is more than good enough.
Based on the Speed Triple launched at the beginning of 2011, this high-spec R version has Ohlins suspension, lightweight wheels, Brembo monobloc brakes, cosmetic changes, a brand new gearbox and a 2kg reduction in weight. It’s added a dynamic new dimension to the hugely popular Speed Triple, turning Triumph’s feisty street-fighter into to a hugely competent trackday tool.
Specifications
| Top speed | 155 mph |
|---|---|
| 1/4-mile acceleration | secs |
| Max power | 133 bhp |
| Max torque | 82 ft-lb |
| Weight | 221 kg |
| Seat height | 825 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 17.5 litres |
| Average fuel consumption | mpg |
| Tank range | miles |
| Annual road tax | |
| Insurance group | 14 of 17 |
| Engine size | 1050 cc |
|---|---|
| Engine specification | 12v, inline-three-cylinder |
| Frame | Twin spar tubular aluminium frame and single-sided |
| Front suspension adjustment | Fully-adjustable Ohlins 43mm upside down forks |
| Rear suspension adjustment | Single Ohlins shock, fully-adjustable |
| Front brakes | 2 x 320mm discs with four-piston Brembo radial calipers |
| Rear brake | 255mm single disc with twin-piston Nissin caliper |
| Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 190/55 x 17 |
Source: MCN
- Published in Motorcycle Review
- 1
- 2