2011 Ducati Monster 796 23 on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Effenbert Liberty Signs McCormick to Ride Ducati 1199 Panigale in 2012 World Superstock Championship

Czech racing team Effenbert-Liberty has signed reigning Canadian Superbike Champion Brett McCormick to ride the new Ducati 1199 Panigale in the 2012 World Superstock 1000 FIM Cup. McCormick won the Canadian championship this season riding the BMW S1000RR, and he’ll be one of the first racers to compete on the Ducati 1199 Panigale which will make its world championship racing debut in the upcoming World Superstock season. The Panigale will be available to Superstock racers this season but won’t make its debut in the World Superbike class until 2013.

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.

Nuggets from Estoril

 HRC Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto and Ducati General Director Filippo Preziosi attracted some major media attention as they enjoyed a lengthy but very public chat in the Estoril paddock. Some speculated they were chewing the fat over Stoner’s brilliance now that even Rossi is struggling to get close to the podium on the D800cc Ducati. Others had no doubt it was the rule change for Moto GP machines moving to 1000cc in 2012 that was being debated.