Ductalk

Matador Checa in favourite Miller arena...

The reigning World Superbike champion Carlos Checa will be returning to one of his favourite tracks on the Superbike calendar this weekend hoping that a similar performance to the ones he has produced since the track's inauguration in 2008 will bring the Spaniard back into the midst of a thrilling 2012 title battle....http://www.worldsbk.com/en/news/5-sbk-news/13312-matador-checa-in-favourite-miller-arena.html

I was just waiting for this kind of result by Ducati to share some thoughts with you.
Le Mans has Highlighted (at long last!) That Rossi 'statements about the problems of the Ducati concern, actually, the electronics, but not only that. Preziosi's most recent declarations that has proven the understeer problem has gone in the background. And the wet track has that shown, at small lean angles, Ducati has less problems....http://manziana.motocorse.com/blog/32445_La_vie_en_Rossi_singing_in_the_rain___ING_VERS.php

The weather finally smiled on Ducati's testing efforts on Thursday, providing a full day of testing under excellent conditions. After parts of the first two days were lost to rain and a wet track, the sun shone all day Thursday, with the track being too hot, if anything. Though the post-race press release is as free of detailed information as ever, the positive vibe that came through in both the press release and in the responses from various sources at the test is evident. Lap times were not made public, but according to GPOne.com, Valentino Rossi ran a 1'48.62 and Nicky Hayden posted a 1'48.84, on what Troy Bayliss - also there, testing the Panigale Superbike - described as a slow track due to the temperature. That is close to the fastest lap set by Jorge Lorenzo at last year's race on the 800cc Yamaha, but a long way off the 1'47.326 set by Casey Stoner on the 1000cc Honda at the test after last year's race at Mugello....http://motomatters.com/news/2012/05/24/ducati_completes_test_at_mugello.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MotoGPMatters+%28MotoMatters%29

Technical Italian documents do not translate well on Google - this is a loose hand translation of Giorgio Manziana's technical musings on the test so far, apologies to the author in advance if we have lost anything in translation:

Yesterday at Mugello private testing was held and Ducati finally saw both riders on the track. Evidence indicates it was mostly dedicated to testing new parts for the engine, designed to soften the power delivery of the monster Bolognese.

There is no firm information, but those in the know talk of different diagrams for the distribution and a weighted crankshaft in order to make the response to the re-opening a little 'less abrupt. Preziosi also spoke of a new traction control. Burgess, long ago, called it "a new concept." Nothing takes away something that they have tried to remedy the problems that I had already explained in the article immediately preceding this one ( la vie en Ross' ), or a TC predictive focus more strongly on the fuel njection, as is the case with Japanese rivals.

Obviously we do not know anything official about it. But in some photos on the site Motogp.com which were not present among those disseminated through official channels, one in particular caught my attention. A photo of Hayden with a new aluminum swingarm. But are we sure that it is really new? Ducati has abandoned for sometime, (at least in part) the use of carbon in the construction of the swing arms, in the sense that the swing arm itself is made of aluminum, and carbon fiber is used as a cover which serves to modify its rigidity. One can clearly see from these pictures taken during testing of Barbera in Jerez where we see a part of aluminum, and also in these shots taken during the first test session in Sepang, which is the final detail of revealing the nature of the swingarm in aluminum covered in carbon. In the last picture on Motogp.com, all in bare aluminum, it looks like they are definitely trying to find a less rigid solution. Such attempts have already been made by other competitors, such as the HRC on the frame of Pedrosa 2010, on which the inserts were added carbon in strategic areas to search for additional rigidity. To understand, look at this photo of De Puniet (ex Pedrosa frame) of a specimen with carbon inserts in the bottom and along the main beam of the frame.

Here's a video (taken from BBC website) that speaks directly to this argument , in order to better understand the concept of rigidity searched for, by the addition of carbon.

An examination of the pictures circulating on the Mugello test new techniques do not appear more visible. Just the swingarm, but we cannot exclude that they also worked on the link of the shock as they did on the bike of Team Pramac when Elias took two podium finishes with the Ducati satellite. Obviously we are talking about different motorcycles, but the change of length or position of the swing arm rods for reference served to improve the feeling, the goal they are trying to achieve on the new GP12.

I hope that this small step is accompanied by more substantial ones hidden under the fairing of GP12 at Mugello. In reality there were six bikes, two primary bikes probably are more the models with the new changes, and some which serves as a test mule, the old ( so to speak) to get feedback to compare with the new.

Waiting for further news that I may be able to discover from the analysis of the photos, I greet you - At the next

In Malaga it is hot and also at Mugello

http://manziana.motocorse.com/blog/32431_Particolari_3_parte_test_Mugello.php

The DRIFT BigM Superbike Super Celebrity Mega Kart Showdown is a fun kart race held at the Miller Kart Track that pits 14 teams against each other on May 25th 2012 during World Superbike BigM Weekend.

2012 Teams include Carlos Checa, Max Biaggi, Ben Bostrom, Roger Hayden, Sylvain Guintoli, Elena Myers and more.

http://www.millermotorsportspark.com/events/featured/big-m-weekend-sbk-usa/super-celebrity-mega-kart-showdown.html

Dainese Legends, a series of 4 digital magazines. This issue contains a story on Valentino Rossi's personal racetrack and also a fresh look at Nicky Hayden in a story called "Born To Ride"
To download the .pdf file:
http://dainese-4me.weebo.it/static/Dainese_Legends_-_May_2012.pdf

Ducati's new muscle cruiser breaks all the rules for the cruiser class. Loz and Noel throw a leg over for our latest video road test.

All last season, and for the first three races of 2012, when I’ve walked past the Ducati garage and looked in at Rossi’s side, watching for an interesting moment to photograph, I’ve seen pretty much the same thing: Immensely talented people looking immensely frustrated. I stand there for a moment and think, I’ve already taken this photo, many times. When are things going to change in there?
Things changed this weekend at Le Mans. But after three races in a row, I’d elected to be home for some family events instead of away at the French GP. From the perspective of getting different images of the Ducati box, this was bad timing. But in other ways, and not just family-related, it was good timing indeed, because I watched the race with friends at the San Francisco Dainese Store, which was, as one might expect, full of Rossi fans. And being there was a bit like going back in time....http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/racing/trackside-valentino-rossi-french-gp/

No, I am not confused, but you may be just by looking at all these pictures and realizing that they are from 2 different custom Ducatis. These bikes with the overall same appearance and paint job are the work of Yuri Shif, for me Europe’s custom builder with the wildest/most elegant/most beautifully executed ideas. His motorcycle fantasies are infinite and you never know what’s coming next from this Russian/Belarus customizer....For the rest of this story click on the headline above

 May 24, 2012 - Winchendon, MA – AMA Superbike star, Eric Bostrom, and Ducati Icon and Hall of Fame member, Cook Neilson, will join the Penguin Roadracing School’s staff for a special Ducati track day event at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (NHMS) on June 25, 2012. Students will have an opportunity to interact and learn from the special guests throughout the day as well as getting track time with Eric Bostrom who won the last AMA Superbike race held at NHMS.

Penguin is thrilled to have Eric Bostrom and Cook Neilson joining them for their special Ducati track day event. “The unique opportunity to learn from professionals like Eric and Cook, who successfully competed at such high levels of motorsport racing, is consistent with our rider training mission and with our goal of providing an enhanced track day experience,” said Eric Wood, President of the Penguin Roadracing School.

The multi-talented Eric Bostrom rode for Ducati in 2004 and 2005. His motorcycle career includes World and AMA Superbike competition as well as championships in Dirt Track, Supertwins, Formula Extreme and Supersport. He is currently chasing the Pro Mountain Bike Ultra-Endurance Tour (Pro UET) championship with support from Team Sho-air/Specialized. The grueling bicycle endurance series includes 50 mile to 12 hour races. Eric also races Cyclo Cross in the winter against his brother Ben. In addition to his competition career you can find riding impressions and articles written by Eric in current motorcycle magazines.

"I'm always excited to get to the track. Sharing the joy of buzzing around with other riders is impossible to beat or replace. On top of that, riding bikes is not only a fountain of youth, it's also a constant learning curve. I enjoy sitting in on a classes like the Penguin school for this reason." - Eric Bostrom

AMA and Ducati motorcycle Hall of Fame member, former motorcycle journalist, and Superbike Racer, Cook Nielson, will be featured in a lunch time Q & A that will be hosted by school founder, Jerry Wood. Jerry witnessed first-hand Cook’s celebrated 1977 Daytona Superbike victory on a Phil Schilling-tuned Ducati 750 Supersport as he was a fellow Daytona competitor. During his racing career, Neilson had thirty-eight starts and twenty wins on the Ducati 750SS.

The unique Ducati events are hosted by the Penguin Roadracing School in conjunction with participating Ducati dealers and supported by Ducati North America. The events are open to all motorcycle riders, regardless of brand. For more information and a list of participating dealers visit: http://www.penguinracing.com/pages/25_penguin_revs_with_ ... or call the Penguin School at (978) 400-8204.

This picture was taken May 20th, 1964 at Santa Fe Park, professional 1/4 Mile Track, on the South side of Chicago, Illinois……I won 1st place in the Consolation race – I was always much better off if I missed the finals in the heat races because I could usually win the consolation race & take home $15 to $25. If I made the Grand Final I would be lucky if I made anything at all! Expert, Amateur & Novice classes all ran together at the Santa Fe Park quarter mile track and I was a novice at that time. I earned enough points to advance to Amateur on the 250cc Diana that summer. Most of the experts, the “Hot Shoes” , were riding Harley Davidson Sprints, (which were made in Italy) or Parilla’s. I could out run almost all of them on the straights, but could not then handle the corners as well as those with more experience. I remember one rider in particular, George Roeder, was actually able to just stick his front wheel into my left side even as our leathers were flapping on the inside guard posts and just push me out of the way....http://www.ducati.net/2012/05/my-25-00-ducati-summer/

Having worked directly with Max Biaggi, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi, to name only a few, Federica De Zottis’ experience in Grand Prix motorcycle racing is truly unique. For the past five years she has worked closely with the Ducati Team riders, her current main responsibility on race weekends being to assist with the press duties of Valentino Rossi. When I approached her about the possibility of an interview, she was kind enough to invite me to the Ducati hospitality at Estoril to share her story.

http://motomatters.com/blog/2012/05/23/photographer_s_blog_interview_with_feder.html

Probably one of the most exclusive Ducatis ever, the 996R resembles as close as possible the extremely successful and iconic World Superbike racing edition of the early new millennium. Below is a pristine model with just below 15000km: http://raresportbikesforsale.com/for-collectors-only-ducati-996r-zurich/

published on YouTube by micksmangio

(translated from Italian)

The first session of a two-day test of the Ducati Team at the Mugello circuit was started in the rain, keeping Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden in the garage.
Fortunately, at about 10:30 the sun made its first appearance in the sky and the track dried completely.
At about 14:00 both drivers took to the track and then continued to try until closing, at about 18:15, followed by their entire team, from head technician Jeremy Burgess and Juan Martinez and the team Manager Vittoriano Guareschi. At the track, from Tuesday, was also Battaini with the test Ducati Team led by Filippo Preziosi.
Valentino Rossi completed 55 laps, Nicky Hayden 52 , beginning work on different configurations of vehicle, engine and electronics. Tomorrow is the final day, with favorable a weather forecast for now.

Source: http://www.gpone.com/index.php/en/201205237015/Test-Ducati-con-il-team-al-completo.html#ixzz1viWdTlHg

After Sunday’s MotoGP race at Le Mans where Valentino Rossi finished 2nd, Ducati packed up everything and headed to Mugello for a three-day private test that will start today, with Ducati test rider Franco Battaini giving a shakedown to the new series of upgrades, including electronics and a new engine with a smoother delivery that Filippo Preziosi has prepared for the GP12 before the arrival of Rossi and Nicky Hayden tomorrow.
These new parts and the engine will debut, if Rossi and Hayden approve of them, not before the Laguna Seca round late July, as Ducati will carry out a further two test sessions in June and July.