2009 Ducati Superbike 848 ./ on 2040-motos

Moto blog

Nicky Hayden Signs Contract Extension with Ducati

Ducati has signed Nicky Hayden to a one-year contract extension, retaining the Kentucky native for the 2013 MotoGP season. Hayden, who turns 31 on July 31, has raced for Ducati‘s factory team since 2009. During this period, Hayden has been somewhat overshadowed by his teammates, first by Casey Stoner and now Valentino Rossi.

Effenbert-Liberty Racing Tests Ducati 1199 Panigale Superstock Race Bike

Our own Kevin Duke is in Abu Dhabi this week to test the 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale, but elsewhere in the world, the Panigale was receiving another shakedown test in Australia. The Effenbert-Liberty race team was at Australia’s Phillip Island circuit to prepare for the 2012 World Superbike Championship and Superstock 1000 Cup. While WSBK racers Sylvain Guintoli and Jakub Smrz tested their Ducati 1198 Superbikes, Superstock racers Brett McCormick and Federico Sandi got their first chance to ride their 1199 Panigale racebikes.

Report: Ducati Sold to Audi for US$1.13 Billion

Reuters is reporting Audi has reached a deal with Investindustrial to acquire Ducati for a price of 860 million euros (US$1.13 billion). Citing two unnamed sources familiar with the deal, Reuters reports the purchase price includes Ducati‘s debts, estimated by one of those sources at below 200 million euros (US$262.6 million). As previously reported, the deal will be officially announced April 18, ahead of the annual shareholders meeting for Audi’s parent company, the Volkswagen Group.