Ducati UK is to relocate early next year from their current offices in Milton Keynes to new purpose built head quarters at Silverstone Race Circuit. The move to the Northamptonshire track is the result of a lengthy search for premises after out -growing the current offices and also the need to centralise all Ducati UK operations.

The Silverstone premises will see a bespoke 8000sq feet facility that will include offices, warehouse, dealer training rooms, a workshop that will service the press and demonstrator fleets (now brought back in-house) and there is the potential for a retail outlet for the sale of Ducati merchandise during major track events.
The new Ducati UK premises are expected to be ready early next year and will be situated close to the Silverstone Innovation centre on the outside of Woodcote. This relocation heralds a new era for Ducati UK who can look forward to sharing in the on-going development of the Silverstone circuit as it now becomes the UK home for both two and four-wheeled Motorsport.

(more…)

Ducati UK announce a promotional campaign to win a Ducati branded Mountain bike.
Customers looking to test ride a Ducati between now and the end of October have the chance to win one of three Ducati branded Bianchi mountain bikes worth £500 each.

For the chance to win one of these limited edition mountain bikes customers must contact a Ducati authorised dealership and book a demonstration ride on one of the current 2010 range. Customers can choose from a model line-up that includes the acclaimed new Multistrada, the iconic Monster family, the Hypermotard and Streetfighter models plus the stunning array of Ducati Superbikes which now includes the recently launched 848 EVO.
Once the customer has completed their test ride the dealer will enter their name into a draw to win a Bianchi mountain bike worth £500.

The Ducati Monster 600 mountain bike features:
• Lightweight aluminium frame
• Suntour suspension forks
• Shimano Altus 24sp

For further information on the range of Ducati bikes visit www.bianchi.com

VALENTINO ROSSI AND DUCATI TOGETHER FROM 2010
Ducati and Valentino Rossi have signed a two year agreement for the nine-times World Champion to race with the “Rossa” of Borgo Panigale in the Ducati Marlboro Team from 2011.

The arrival of Valentino in Ducati opens a new and exciting chapter in the Italian factory’s sporting history and, indeed, of the whole MotoGP Championship. The opportunity of lining-up such an extraordinary rider and character is considered by Ducati to be a huge value to the whole Ducati MotoGP project.

“We are delighted to announce that Valentino Rossi will be with us from 2011,” commented Gabriele Del Torchio, President of Ducati Motor Holding. “He is a paragon of excellence in the world of motorcycling, coherent with our Italian company which is a standard-bearer for “made in Italy” excellence. These are key values for success in technology, design and sportsmanship. In addition to the strong and passionate intent of both parties, this agreement has been made possible by the committed support of our shareholder Investindustrial and all the sponsors associated with the Ducati Marlboro Team, sponsors which have believed in this opportunity and share and support our choices.”

“Firstly, Valentino is a great fan of motorcycles and so it has always been a pleasure for me to listen his opinions,” said Filippo Preziosi, Ducati Corse General Director. “Until the Valencia GP he will remain a competitor, one so great that he has always given a special value to our victories, but as soon as he rides the Ducati for the first time, we will work together on every single detail that will develop a bike capable of showing his huge talent. Working with Valentino is one of the most exciting things for every Engineer and it’s good to know we will have this great opportunity next season.”

The new Ducati Multistrada has already proved to be a remarkable success with sales for 2010 expected to exceed previous sales forecasts by more than 20%.

Despite the Multistrada only being on the UK market for a few months, demand has often outstripped supply as bikers have flooded dealers with orders for this unique motorcycle. Ducati UK has worked closely with the factory to make sure that dealers receive bike allocations on time. Despite the increase in forecasted sales Ducati UK has been able to keep pace with orders and fulfil customer expectations by securing an additional 100 bikes for the UK market to be delivered in September.

For Ducati the Multistrada has not only been a sales success but also has successfully converted buyers from other brands with many purchasing a Ducati for the first time. Early indications suggest that over 40% of Multistrada buyers are new to the brand*.

It is not only the design and quality of the bike that has brought new riders to the brand it is also the competitive service costs and service intervals throughout the range that has contributed to Ducati UK bucking the trend, with year on year growth in a very tough market.

(more…)

August 4th: Regarding the recent allegations attributed to Gabriele Del Torchio – Ducati CEO and President, Ducati states that no agreement has been reached with the riders Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden for the future Moto GP season, although our interest in these riders remains.
We would like to say that the recent news which has appeared on the US website Cycle World and other websites has been misreported and must be attributed to the many rumors circulating lately.
Whether and when an agreement is reached, official press releases will be issued.

New sunglasses and prescription frames salute famed motorcycle company
Borgo Panigale, Bologna August 3, 2010 – Oakley, Inc. today announced the continued expansion of its special edition eyewear line that honors the designers, builders and racers of Ducati motorcycles. Recent additions include a uniquely styled version of Oakley Jupiter™ that salutes Ducati racer Nicky Hayden, as well as Ducati stylised renditions of popular Oakley prescription eyewear frames known as Transistor™, Wingspan™ and Metal Plate™.

Oakley part¬nered with Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. in 2003 and has since produced a comprehensive range of eyewear products that salute the art and technical innovation of both companies. “Oakley performance eyewear has always been a favorite among Ducati racers, and Oakley engineers will always be inspired by the pure genius and raw power of Ducati design,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden. “Both companies have earned a respected heritage of innovation. This special edition eyewear pays homage to those who push the limits of possibility, and to anyone who demands uncompromising performance and definitive style,” Baden concluded. Lucio Attinà, Brand Development Director said: “The philosophy, style and prestige of the two brands are so similar that, if Ducati were an eyewear manufacturing company, it would be Oakley! The impressive achievements of this partnership, established in 2003, are the tangible proof of the credibility and effectiveness of the project, which tightly connects the two high-performance, world-famous companies. The agreement highlights the strengths of both companies and expands them at the same time, enabling us to further communicate our brand and be even more visible in the market.”

The new Nicky Hayden Signature Series edition of Oakley Jupiter sunglasses is highlighted with metal icons and stem bands in Ducati Red. The signature of the 2006 MotoGP World Champion is laser etched near the edge of the lens. Oakley Jupiter features High Definition Optics® (HDO®) with clarity and impact resistance that meets ANSI Z87.1 standards. A Matte Black Frame is matched with Black Iridium® lenses in this unique rendition.

(more…)

Ducati North America and Pro Italia Motors are excited to announce Jeffrey Jones as the winner of a Ducati Desmosedici RR motorcycle, raffled off by the dealership to benefit the Los Feliz Charter School for the Arts in Glendale, California.
Jeffrey was picked as the winner of the exotic Ducati yesterday at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, where the United States Grand Prix was held this weekend. In front of a packed crowd on Ducati Island, Ducati MotoGP rider and fan favorite Nicky Hayden pulled the winning ticket. Nicky put the cell phone on speaker and in front of the elated crowd proceeded to leave a voice mail when he got no answer- a message which will surely never be deleted.

(more…)

140hp engine enhancement, new steering damper and Monobloc brakes for 2011 848 EVO

The 2011 848 EVO now further enhances Ducati’s most impressive lightweight Superbike ever with more power from the Testastretta engine and more braking power from Brembo’s incredible Monobloc brake technology combining to provide an even more exciting way to enter the world of Ducati Superbikes.
The “EVO” treatment applied to the 848 introduces a 6hp power boost to 140hp (103kW) and a torque increase to 72.3lb-ft (98Nm) that results in a razor-sharp and easy-to-use power delivery while the combination of the 848’s legendary (168kg) chassis set-up and planet-stopping Brembo Monobloc brakes gives unthinkable braking performances most can only dream of.

In pursuit of perfection, Ducati engineers have listened to passionate owners of the 848 Superbike since its delivery in 2008 and now enhance its specifications to deliver impressive performances whether riding through mid-town traffic or racing through track-day competition.
Iconic features from the World Championship-winning machines, such as the twin under-seat silencers, single-sided swingarm, Trellis frame, beautiful race bodywork and steering damper, are all part of the 848’s DNA. Its family resemblance assures that it is equipped with all the performance advancements of the Superbike family, while adding its own particular character and style.

The early arrival of the 2011 848 EVO will see bikes available to order from 20th July 2010, with demo bikes arriving at dealers by end of July and customer orders shipped within September.
The 848 EVO Dark Stealth and 848 EVO will be available at the same price as the outgoing 848 range including the traditional colour of Ducati red with red frame and black wheels and introducing the stunning new “dark stealth” with racing black frame and black wheels.

Inspired by Ducati heritage and thanks to PUMA’s leadership in footwear industry, the Two Iconic Brands Invent Moto Lifestyle.
The latest footwear range produced through the PUMA® and Ducati partnership has now arrived in stores. This highly productive brand collaboration has produced many highly aspirational products, and continues to lead the field with its latest range of lifestyle products. The two latest designs are no exception, the innovation, comfort and technology incorporated in both these shoes continue to push the boundaries.

The En Route LT Ducati shoe is the ideal product for both the causal and serious biker, providing the heavy performance benefits that riding requires but within a lighter, more casual sneaker feel. Outsole details include a simpler version of the peg support found on its predecessor, the En Route LT, while a small metal slider finishes off the key detail on the lateral side of the shoe. Made from abrasion resistant rubber on the sole, and leather and suede in the upper shoe, it pushes the limits for comfort and protection. The En Route LT Ducati is now available to buy in white, yellow and black.

The 1198 Ducati ST is another lifestyle product that takes the cool Ducati biker feeling and incorporates PUMA details that gives the sneaker a glamorous look. The heel cap with a carbon fibre effect is a unique element of style. Ultimately, this sneaker stands as the perfect choice for consumers looking for great Moto details combined with the contemporary vulcanized trend.

Revealed for the first time on DVD, the incredible history of Ducati told with rare movie footage, pictures and interviews from its creation in 1926 to the 2007 MotoGP World Championship title.
From the innovative Ducati brothers and the birth of the “Cucciolo” to the unforgettable engineer Taglioni and the Desmodromic system. From victory in the Imola 200 to the production of the Scrambler and from Superbike dominance to debut in MotoGP, witnesses recount their personal experiences of a journey that is the story of a company, a view of Italian social history and the passion and genius that created the Ducati engines destined to write the history of motorcycling.

Ducati’s collaboration with the production company, “Strike Video” of Milan, has enabled director, Angelo Barberi, to achieve the most complete and compelling account of Ducati’s incredible heritage, and with so much exclusive material released for the very first time, the captivating ninety-minute movie in English and Italian reveals a fast-moving and exciting story.
“This is a new way to tell the story,” Livio Lodi, curator of the Ducati Museum, proudly explains. “As if leafing through an old photo album or speaking with a wise, old relative, the story becomes a fascinating view not only of Ducati’s, but also of Italy’s history. For me, it is vitally important that we share this story with Ducati fans around the world.”

The film and photographic material, perfectly complemented by interviews with former employees, riders and people who have experienced this adventure, is divided into 12 chapters. It is the result of ten years research in Ducati and Italian state archives.

Price Holland: €33,75
Price Belgium / Luxemburg: €34,30