Moto blog
Ducati Reports 43% Growth in North America
Thu, 19 Jan 2012Ducati North America announced growth of 43% in 2011 compared to 2010, resulting in the Bologna company’s largest ever market share in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The announcement reinforces claims made by Ducati Chief Executive Officer Gabriele Del Torchio last September: North America has replaced Italy as Ducati’s #1 market. Ducati attributes its growth to the popularity of the Diavel and Mulistrada in North America.
2012 New York International Motorcycle Shows Preview
Thu, 19 Jan 2012The 2011-2012 International Motorcycle Shows tour hits the Big Apple this weekend with a number of debuts, Jan. 20-22 at the Jakob K. Javits Convention Center.
Provisional 2012 World Superbike Championship Entry List Released
Wed, 18 Jan 2012The International Motorcycling Federation has released a preliminary entry list for the 2012 World Superbike Championship. The preliminary list includes 24 entries representing six manufacturers: Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Honda, Kawasaki and Suzuki. Noticeably absent is Yamaha which announced last summer it would pull out of WSBK racing.
Italy Recognizes Cultural Importance of Ducati Museum
Wed, 18 Jan 2012Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities has granted official recognition to the Ducati Museum in Bologna, Italy, for it’s cultural significance. The Museo Ducati‘s archives have been deemed to be of such cultural importance, they deserve to be part of Italy’s national archive. First opened in June 1998, the museum houses documents form Ducati‘s technical archive as well as a vast collection of engines and motorcycles.
Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction Nets $4.1 Million
Tue, 17 Jan 2012Buyers spent $4.1 million on rare motorcycles at the inaugural Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction by Auctions America. The auction, held Jan. 12-14 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, featured 490 motorcycles and other memorabilia.
Saltarelli Classic Ducati Collection Up for Auction
Tue, 17 Jan 2012One of the world’s largest private collections of Ducati motorcycles is going on the auction block. Former Ducati factory test rider, racer and dealer Carlo Saltarelli is selling his collection of classic motorcycles at RM Auction‘s biennial auction in Monaco on May 11-12 during the Grand Prix of Monaco Historique. Saltarelli’s collection includes 100 motorcycles including a 1970 ex-Works Ducati 450 Desmo Corsa which was featured in the Ducati museum in Bologna, Italy.
Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden Frolicking in the Snow [Video]
Mon, 16 Jan 2012Last week, we wrote about Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden and Ducati’s annual Wrooom ski and press event in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. While Ducati, Rossi and Hayden are under intense pressure to perform better in 2012 than they did in the 2011 MotoGP season, the Wrooom event provided the riders and the team a chance to unwind before getting back to work. Ducati has released a video featuring its two factory riders enjoying the slopes at the ski result in the Italian Alps.Watch the video after the jump of Rossi and Hayden riding a Ducati-adorned Ski-Doo and snowboarding.
Wrooom 2012: Fun and Games for Rossi and Ducati Before Going Back to Work on MotoGP Project
Fri, 13 Jan 2012The pressure is on Ducati and Valentino Rossi this off-season to revamp the Desmosedici for the 2012 MotoGP Championship after a lackluster 2011. But that doesn’t mean Vale et al can’t have a bit of fun at the annual Wrooom press event held jointly between Ducati‘s MotoGP team and Ferrari‘s F1 squad. Rossi took part in a pair of four-wheeled races on the frozen lake at Madonna di Campiglio where Wrooom took place.
Preliminary 2012 MotoGP Entry List Released
Fri, 13 Jan 2012The International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) has released a preliminary entry list for the 2012 MotoGP World Championship. The provisional list includes 21 riders in the premiere class, including nine classified as Claiming Rule Team entries. Defending MotoGP Champion Casey Stoner will wear the #1 plate for the 2012 season, the first with both CRT entries and the new 1000cc engine displacement cap.
Happy 50th Hizzy
Wed, 11 Jan 2012On the 11th January 1962, Steve Hislop was born in Hawick, Scotland. Today would have been his 50th birthday, but he was tragically killed in a helicopter accident in 2003. Hizzy was a genius on a motorbike and when he was happy with everything around him, he was amongst the best in the world.