Ducati Monster Motorcycles in Gaithersburg, page #24

Moto blog

Ducati Desmosedici GP13 an Evolution, Not a Revolution

Bernhard Gobmeier sounded cautiously optimistic about Ducati‘s MotoGP program, speaking at the Wrooom 2013 event following the unveiling of the Desmsedici GP13 racebike. Taking over as general manager of Ducati Corse, Gobmeier acknowledged his team had a lot of ground to make up if it hopes to pose a serious threat to Honda and Yamaha. Ducati got an early start on developing its 2013 program halfway through the 2012 season when it became apparent the Desmosedici GP12 was not competitive enough against the RC213V and the M1.

Ducati Desmosedici GP13 MotoGP Racebikes Revealed at Wrooom 2013

(Updated with high-resolution studio photos of the factory Desmosedici GP13 racebikes.) Ducati factory riders Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso along with the junior Ducati Pramac team of Ben Spies and Andrea Iannone pulled the covers of the Desmosedici GP13, revealing the race bikes they will ride for the 2013 MotoGP Championship. The four riders revealed their Desmosedicis on a snow-covered mountain in the Dolomites in Italy as part of Wrooom 2013, an annual ski event held jointly by Ducati Corse and Ferrari‘s Formula One racing program. The 2013 season marks a number of changes for the Ducati MotoGP program.

Portland’s MotoCorsa Opens Museo Ducati Exhibition

You may remember MotoCorsa as the dealership behind the awfully funny “Manigale” photoshoot, featuring male employees in bathing suits and heels posing like female models on a Ducati 1199 Panigale. The Portland, Ore., dealership clearly knows how to have fun. MotoCorsa also knows Ducati‘s heritage, opening an exhibition of more than 30 significant Ducati motorcycles spanning seven decades.

Back when GPs were really good: Part 2

Rossi versus Gibernau at Brno in 2003. Most of the time Rossi and Gibernau came together, it was a classic in the making but while Rossi on the factory Honda hunting down Gibernau on the satellite Honda is well worth watching, the threat of a looming Bayliss on the Ducati makes this one even better. Gibernau, fresh from a win in Germany at the previous round - having beaten Rossi to the line by 0.060 seconds - was full of fight.

Bruce Willis’ 2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000DS Raises $6,250 for Charity

A 2005 Ducati Multistrada 1000DS belonging to actor Bruce Willis has been auctioned off for $6,250. The Multistrada was the first of five motorcycles from the “Die Hard” actor’s personal collection that will be sold to benefit the Boot Campaign, a non-profit organization supporting active and retired members of the U.S. military.

Riding Instruction From Troy Bayliss

The Ducati Riding Experience (DRE) returns for 2013 featuring the Troy Bayliss Academy. The DRE celebrates its 10th year in 2013 with 12 dates at some of the Italy’s most famous tracks. The DRE not only provides instruction for everyone from the beginner rider to the track day specialist but also the opportunity to ride Ducati motorcycles.

Monster Energy Track Day of Legends with Schumacher, McGuinness, Espargaro and Flint – Video

Last week, we wrote about retired Formula One racer Michael Schumacher taking part in a track day at France’s Paul Ricard circuit on a Ducati 1199 Panigale. The event’s sponsor, Monster Energy, has released a video offering a behind-the-scenes look at the event. The seven-time F1 champion was joined by TT racer John McGuinness, retired MotoGP racer Randy Momola, Moto2 racer Pol Espargaro and Keith Flint, a musician from the group Prodigy and a racer in the U.K.’s  Hottrax Endurance Championship.

Michael Schumacher Riding the Ducati 1199 Panigale

Formula One racing star Michael Schumacher is a noted motorcyclist, having competed in various motorcycle races after his initial retirement from car racing. Schumacher was no slouch either, and once received an open invitation to ride a Honda in the World Superbike Championship. Schumacher recently got a chance to ride motorcycles on a track, taking part in a track day at the Paul Ricard circuit in France organized by Monster Energy and Mercedes-Benz.

Bruce Willis Auctioning Motorcycles to Benefit Active and Retired Military

Actor Bruce Willis is auctioning five motorcycles from his personal collection to benefit the Boot Campaign, a Texas-based non-profit organization supporting active and retired members of the U.S. military. The motorcycles will be auctioned off every two months, starting from December 2012 to August 2013, with each auction running for up to 30 days at CharityBuzz.com.

Former Ducati Owners Investindustrial and Mahindra Make Competing Bids for Aston Martin

Ducati‘s former owner Investindustrial is ready for its next big acquisition, reportedly submitting a bid to acquire a stake in Aston Martin. Investindustrial is reportedly competing against Indian car and motorcycle maker Mahindra & Mahindra for the stake in the British car company probably best known for its association with the fictional spy James Bond. According to Bloomberg, Investindustrial has submitted an offer of nearly 250 million British pounds (US$400.7 million) for a 40% equity stake and 50% control of voting rights for Aston Martin.