Moto blog
Rossi goes karting with racing mates
Wed, 25 Aug 2010REIGNING MOTOGP World Champion Valentino Rossi has been out on four wheels again - this time joining his motorcycle racing buddies at Jeepers Kart track, Cattolica.The nine-time world champ, who recently announced he is to race for Ducati from 2011, was joined by Marco Simoncelli, Andrea Iannone and Mattia Pasini at the karting venue.Rossi, an accomplished racing driver, turned down an offer to move to Ferrari F1 in 2011, after impressing team bosses when he drove the squad's 2009 car in Spain.
And it's goodbye from him
Tue, 17 Aug 2010THIS IS Valentino Rossi's farewell letter to his Fiat Yamaha team following the announcement the flambouyant Italian is to head to Ducati MotoGP in 2011.The hand-written letter, mistakes and all, is written in almost a 'my first romance' kinda way. It's touching, if a little bizarre. Some of the letter reads:“Unfortunately even the most beautiful love stories finish, but they leave a lot of wonderful memories, like when my M1 and I kissed for the first time on the grass at Welkom, when she looked straight in my eyes and told me ‘I love you!'"Somehow, we can't see Casey Stoner gushing quite as freely when he leaves Ducati for Repsol Honda.
Valentino Rossi to Ducati? Not so fast!
Thu, 05 Aug 2010In today’s news that really isn’t news, an interview of Ducati CEO, Gabriele del Torchio, by Bruno de Prato found on Cycle World’s website on August 3rd, reveals the CEO speaking in a matter-of-fact tone about Valentino Rossi’s status as a team member on Ducati’s MotoGP effort. In the CW article, Del Torchio states that the 2010 racing season “will not bring to Ducati any crown in the sport,” but that he looks “forward to Valentino Rossi teaming up with Nicky Hayden.” “Nicky is a wonderful person and a great rider. This year, he greatly contributed to improving our Desmosedici racer.
130mph on sand: £6k and big balls needed
Fri, 30 Jul 2010I spotted this for sale on another website. It's not every day one of these comes up for sale. And there's probably a reason for that - not everyone needs to do 130mph on sand...
Ford Ranger Wildtrak: part four
Sat, 24 Jul 2010Took Rieju’s little sports 50 (£2499) to Whilton Mill kart track near Daventry the other day. Didn’t even need the ramp to load it in – such are the delights of 50cc bikes. Got my resident stunt monkey to test it out round the track but things were a bit hampered by a stubborn gear selection process.
So that's why he's called RANDY de Puniet
Tue, 20 Jul 2010RANDY de Puniet may well have just been ejected from his LCR Honda RC212V MotoGP racer during qualifying for Sunday's Sachsenring GP but that ain't gonna stop him from bringing one of the company perks with him to Dr Costa's on-circuit surgery. The Frenchman crashed during qualifying after hitting oil and water spilled on track by Jorge Lorenzo's Fiat Yamaha, after it spewed its guts along almost the entire length of the start finished straight. Following the crash De Puniet was whisked away on a stretcher with a suspected broken foot.
2011 Ducati Mega Monster Leaked Sketch
Fri, 16 Jul 2010This leaked sketch was found on a Ducati forum where the forum member claims he received it from the dealer that sold him his Streetfighter. Motorcycle.com published an article last week that shows some spy shots of the new cruiser on the road along with some other information on the potential new bike from Ducati. See the official statement from Ducati after the jump. Statement from Ducati: As many you may have noticed, there has been quite a bit of activity in the past few weeks surrounding a supposed new Ducati model.
Ducati Multistrada at Pikes Peak [video]
Tue, 06 Jul 2010This promotional video was shot by Ducati at this years Pikes Peak International Hill Climb where Greg Tracy and the Ducati Multistrada 1200 took first place in its class. You can find the 2010 motorcycle results from this years event on motorcycle.com here. Get the Flash Player to see this player.
New: Alpinestars Flat Out Leather jacket
Thu, 01 Jul 2010Looking like you’ve created a rip in the space-time continuum, pulling up in modern Britain on a ’70s Ducati 750 sporting huge sideburns and aviators. Alpinestars’ Flat Out leather jacket may have retro styling but the protection is definitely up-to-date. Highlighted features include CE-approved Bio Armor elbow and shoulder protection with the padding included in the chest and back.
Ducati Desmosedici for £339.99 (well almost)
Mon, 28 Jun 2010IF A £40,000 Ducati Desmosedici is out of reach, like it is for most of us, then what about this bad boy?The 1/15th scale radio-controlled model comes complete adjustable oil-filled suspension, disc brakes, slick tyres and factory Ducati MotoGP paintjob.At £339.99 including delivery it's certainly not cheap! Radio-controlled Ducati