2011 Ducati Hypermotard on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Looking after number 1

There was a time when a rider’s number indicated his position from the previous season, with the ultimate accolade being the number 1 emblazoned on the front of the champion's bike. The rise of branding in MotoGP and a rider wanting to market themselves, born from Barry Sheene and his retention of no.7, saw riders decide against displaying their finish from the year before. Rossi, who on winning his numerous championships, stuck with his famous #46 in defence of his titles, instead of stamping a great number 1 on his bikes.

Max Biaggi to Test Ben Spies’ Ducati Desmosedici GP13 MotoGP Racer

Retired four-time 250cc Grand Prix Champion and two-time World Superbike Champion Max Biaggi will be returning to the track this week to ride a Ducati Desmosedici GP13 at MotoGP test at Italy’s Mugello circuit. Biaggi will be riding in place of Pramac Racing‘s Ben Spies who continues to rehab his shoulder and pectoral muscle injury. With Spies’ on-going injury problems and a star like Biaggi on tap, some might hope this change may be a more permanent arrangement but Pramac is careful to state Biaggi will only be testing the Desmosedici with Ducati test team rider Michele Pirro continuing to race in Spies’ absence.

Massimo Tamburini: 1943 – 2014

Massimo Tamburini, creator of some of the industry’s most iconic motorcycle designs, has succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 70. Tamburini was diagnosed with the disease last November and underwent chemotherapy treatment but passed away April 6. Earning renown for designing motorcycles such as the Ducati 916 and the MV Agusta F4, Tamburini’s name will be forever linked with those two companies, as well as Cagiva and helped found Bimota (Tamburini is the “Ta” in the company’s name.) Massimo Tamburini (right) with another late motorcycle industry icon, Claudio Castiglioni.