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    • Author: Luca Ciarallo

    Exciting debut for Mesa and Tytlers Cycle Racing with the Eva Ribelle RS at Daytona

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    Tytlers Cycle Racing and Stefano Mesa have completed the opening round of the 2023 Mission Foods Super Hooligan National Championship by MotoAmerica, with the fast and experienced Colombian rider able to ride the race-ready Energica EVA Ribelle RS to a seventh and a fifth place in the first two races of the series held at the iconic Daytona International Speedway in Florida, USA.

    There was plenty of anticipation for the debut of the first full-time electric-powered effort in the series, and Mesa – who has had his fair share of success on the iconic Daytona high banks over the years – proved to be more than ready for the new challenge. A successful performance at Daytona was everything but a given, as the lack of previous data at the track or experience with the spec Dunlop tires meant that there were still some unknowns on the overall potential of the Energica race package at the high-speed venue – which layout-wise is surely not the most favorable one for electric motorcycles.

    Despite all of the above, the #137 rider mastered the full power of Energica’s streetfighter machine while getting in the mix with ICE-powered competitors as well as making the most of the instant torque available to his right wrist at the start of the encounter. The Energica EVA Ribelle proved to be a solid package in more than capable hands, and the results achieved have injected further confidence for the upcoming race events.

    The Super Hooligan series will now take a break before resuming proceedings for Round two at The Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington State on June 23-25.

    Automobili Lamborghini celebrates 60 years as an icon

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    Sixty years ago, in an area that at the time was open countryside, construction of the Automobili Lamborghini factory began. The company was established on May 6, 1963, realizing Ferruccio Lamborghini’s dream of becoming a manufacturer of sports cars, an industry back then dominated by just a few brands.

    Right from the start, the founder and his very young engineers showed a passion for innovation and a desire to disrupt the dogmas of the sports car world, which were truly groundbreaking and led to a radical revolution. These values, which still form the cornerstone of the company today, would lead to the birth of legendary cars such as the Miura, a car which coined the term “supercar” and that has since inspired the entire automotive industry with its spirit and its styling. Over the years, Automobili Lamborghini has continued to evolve, creating icons of unique style, technology and performance, inspiring entire generations and millions of people by sharing its DNA and the values on which it was founded. 

    On the occasion of its 60th anniversary, Automobili Lamborghini is organizing a series of events worldwide, each unique but all engaging customers and their Lamborghinis; the official Lamborghini Clubs; and the dealerships and fans around the world. 

    The 60th anniversary celebrations began on January 19 with the opening of the remodeled Lamborghini Museum in Sant’Agata Bolognese, located in the original factory areas. The museum was renovated and rearranged specially for the celebrations with an exhibition entitled The Future Began In 1963.

    The schedule of upcoming events

    In the United Kingdom, Silverstone Circuit will be the venue for Lamborghini Day UK on April 29 to celebrate the company’s 60th anniversary, with over 300 Lamborghini owners expected to attend.

    The next important event will be the 60° Anniversario Giro tour in Italy that will end on May 28 in the main square of Bologna with the Concorso in Piazza: a concours d’elegance and festive party open to the public, at which hundreds of Lamborghinis, collectors and fans from all over the world will gather to celebrate the illustrious history of the brand.

    In the United States, the most important market for Automobili Lamborghini, the “60th Anniversary Giro” is scheduled this summer.

    Come September, 60th Anniversary celebration continues in Automobili Lamborghini’s second largest single market in Chinese Mainland where Lamborghini customers will participate in its signature “Giro China” for the ninth consecutive year. Over 100 Lamborghini owners and enthusiasts will gather to round up the celebration with the “60th Anniversary Gala Dinner”.

    As well in September, Lamborghini Polo Storico, the division responsible for the protection, preservation, and restoration of the brand’s motoring heritage, plans to organize the “60th Anniversary Polo Storico Tour” reserved for Lamborghini classic cars in Italy.

    In October, the Vallelunga circuit in Rome will host the very first Lamborghini Festival. In this grand event, organized for the first time and open to all fans, the House of Sant’Agata Bolognese will celebrate the brand and its track-oriented cars.

    Then in November, the Grand Finals of the Super Trofeo Lamborghini, the one-make championship reserved for the Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 racecars, gathering cars from three continents, will be held at the Vallelunga circuit in Rome.

    Canossa team announce its event lineup for 2023

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    Canossa team announce its event lineup for 2023, dedicated to all the motorheads out there. Glorious landscapes, exquisite foods, great cars, and impeccable hospitality will be the strings that will tie all our experiences, for a memorable year to spend together. The lineup will see events unfold along our three main hubs, providing Canossa’s friends with unforgettable experiences throughout Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

    A few of the events on the calendar:

    Motor Valley Tour #Modena (April 21-23): a weekend-long road trip on board of one of Canossa’s Abarth 595C Cabriolet. Experience the gifts of the Motor Valley with other like-minded drivers.

    Terre di Canossa (April 27-30): is a tour of the thousand-year-old roads of Gran Countess Matilde’s historical lands from her XIth century reign.

    Cavallino Classic Modena (May 12-14): is the Concorso d’Eleganza dedicated to Ferraris where proud owners can show off their perfectly renovated car models, on the gorgeous stage of the Motor Valley.

    Four Seasons Drive Experience in the Heart of the Alps (June 12-18): the exclusive driving journey between the charming cities of Geneva and Megève, is a great escape across the winding and beautiful roads of the Alps while enjoying the excellent and renowned Four Seasons signature hospitality.

    Modena Cento Ore (October 9-14): the perfect mix of sexy cars, gentlemen drivers, competition, breathtaking roads and vistas, food, wine, and relax. Step on the gas and experience the legendary tracks of Vallelunga, Magione and Mugello.

    Four Seasons Drive Experience Through Napa Valley (October 29 – November 4): takes participants to explore the enchanting landscapes of Napa Valley while indulging in Four Seasons’ exceptional hospitality.

    Cavallino Classic Middle East (November 24-26): the charming Concorso d’Eleganza set in Abu Dhabi, perfectly combining the Italian spirit and the unique style and glamour of the UAE.

    More info

    WorldSBK, perfect Sunday for Ducati in Australia.

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    The Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team together with the Aruba.it Racing WSSP team in fact completed the first historic “clean sweep” for Ducati by winning all the races held over the weekend. After the success of Bautista and Bulega in Saturday’s races, Sunday at Phillip Island is dressed in red again with Alvaro Bautista and Michael Rinaldi respectively first and second in both Superpole Race and Race-2 and Nicolò Bulega on the top step of the podium in the second WorldSSP race.

    Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #1)
    “It’s a dream weekend. Undoubtedly the best way to start the season also because we have shown that we were very fast in all conditions, both in the rain and with different temperatures. I am very happy and I want to thank my team, who put me in a position to be able to get these results.”

    Michael Rinaldi (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati #21)
    “It was a very positive Sunday. After yesterday’s difficult race, it was very important to stay focused and show that the level we reached during testing was the one we can stay at this season. I had a lot of fun in the Superpole Race and in Race-2 I kept a very competitive pace. Compared to last year we have made a big step forward. Now we have to work to fix those details that will allow us to get closer to Alvaro”.

    Nicolò Bulega (Aruba.it Racing WSSP #11)
    “Winning the first two races of the championship is an incredible emotion that I can’t describe. We have worked so hard this winter, we have never stopped. My team has done an exceptional job, and I have put a lot of effort into training. These sacrifices are paying off. And I can’t wait to be in Indonesia, where I had positive feelings last year.

    Gallery

     

    Ferrari: unveiled the SF-23.

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    It was a St. Valentine’s Day to remember for Scuderia Ferrari fans around the world. At around lunchtime, the SF23, the Maranello marque’s challenger for the coming Formula 1 season, was unveiled at the company’s Fiorano track. It is the 69th car built by Ferrari to compete in motor racing’s blue riband category, which starts with the Bahrain Grand Prix on 5 March. 

    Fans in the stands

    The day was full of surprises, starting with the presence of 500 fans in a grandstand specially erected at the Fiorano track, making this the first real launch to be staged after two years of virtual car presentations. Before the launch, the drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz went to greet the crowd which included many members of the various Scuderia Ferrari Clubs and students from Muner, the Motorvehicle University of Emilia-Romagna, and some from the Alfredo Ferrari Higher Education Institute, along with their teachers.

    Car on track

    The SF-23, whose name marks a return to the format of the Scuderia Ferrari initials combined with the year of competition, as has been the case for most of the hybrid era, was first seen on video. But then came the announcement that, for the first time since 2017, the car would actually take to the track on launch day. Which of the two drivers would get behind the wheel first was decided by Fred Vasseur tossing a special coin, with Leclerc’s and Sainz’s race numbers- 16 and 55 – one on each side. Charles won and drove the SF23 for its first couple of laps, while Carlos got his turn shortly afterwards.

    Special livery

    The SF-23 livery features some parts in naked carbon, while the historic “long F” logo appears on the rear wing. The red colour is also brand new, created by Ferrari Design: a matt version on the Formula 1 car, and glossy on the 499P Hypercar, which makes its endurance racing debut this year.

    Redesign for the Museo Automobili Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese.

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    The Automobili Lamborghini Museum officially reopens following a redesign and new layout, with the event marking the start of Lamborghini’s 60th anniversary celebrations in an important year for the Sant’Agata Bolognese company.

    The museum has changed its name and been entirely remodeled, both in its modernized layout and design, and in its exhibits.  The newly-created exhibition “THE FUTURE BEGAN IN 1963”, retraces the most emblematic eras and representative moments that mark the history of Lamborghini’s first 60 years. The narrative begins with the evolution of the brand and its products from 1963 to the present day, starting with founder Ferruccio Lamborghini. The 19 cars on display* are the heroes, telling the story of the brand and Lamborghini’s iconic technical and design heritage: innate principles that characterize the company’s DNA.

    “2023 will be a year full of original activities and developments, which opens with this new museum destination. We will celebrate our first sixty years through international events, initiatives and unexpected activities, which we will reveal during the year,” said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini at the official opening of the museum. “We started from a challenge that Ferruccio Lamborghini took up at the beginning of the 1960s, which the company developed through pioneering and revolutionary ideas in the years that followed to write the history of the time and deliver innovations that have shaped the path of luxury super sports cars. Lamborghini always has and always will be a brand that never stops looking to the future.”

     

    Ducati unveils official MotoGP and WorldSBK teams’ liveries in Madonna di Campiglio.

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    At the Palacampiglio of Madonna di Campiglio, in the enchanting setting of the snow-capped Dolomites, the livery of the Desmosedici GP bikes with which the Ducati Lenovo Team will take part in the 2023 MotoGP World Championship has been unveiled. The official Ducati team, which this year celebrates 20 years since its debut in the premier class in 2003, is ready to defend the Constructors’, Teams’ and Riders’ World Titles clinched last year together with reigning World Champion Francesco Bagnaia in his third season with the Borgo Panigale based squad. Enea Bastianini, who finished third in the 2022 World Championship with the Desmosedici GP of the Gresini Racing team, will be alongside him wearing the official Ducati colours for the first time. Everything is set for another exciting season, with the first race out of 21 scheduled to take place in Portimão, Portugal, on 26th March. In addition to the traditional Sunday race, starting this year, a sprint race on Saturday at each Grands Prix will add more excitement to the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.

    The presentation, held this morning in front of an affluent audience composed of Ducati’s partners and sponsors, local authorities, members of the national and international press, as well as other important guests, took place during the “Campioni in Pista” event, organized by Ducati in collaboration with the Azienda per il Turismo Madonna di Campiglio, Trentino Marketing and with the participation of partners Lenovo, Aruba.it, Monster Energy, Shell and Audi. As always, the unveiling of the Desmosedici GP 2023 has been the most exciting moment, with Bagnaia and Bastianini unveiling the new livery, which again this year maintains the classic Ducati red colour scheme, enhanced by some carbon details and in a lighter shade of red. Another novelty is that Bagnaia chose the World Champion’s number 1 to ride the entire 2023 season in MotoGP.

    Bagnaia’s Desmosedici GP has not been the only Ducati to sport the number 1 on stage. The event was further enriched by the presence of the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati team, the official Superbike team of the Borgo Panigale-based manufacturer, which secured the Riders’, Teams’ and Manufacturers World Titles in the 2022 World Superbike Championship. Also, on the Panigale V4 R of Spanish champion Alvaro Bautista, in his second consecutive year with Ducati, the number 1 stands out. Michael Ruben Rinaldi will continue to ride alongside him for the third consecutive season as an official Ducati rider in WorldSBK.

    Claudio Domenicali (CEO of Ducati Motor Holding)
    “Today we live another remarkable moment for Ducati. For the first time in the Company’s history, we are launching together both MotoGP and WorldSBK official teams, the Ducati Lenovo Team and Aruba.it – Racing Ducati team. Resuming all together is a beautiful way to celebrate the value and skills of the best Ducati Corse squad ever, whose everyday work has taken us to the top of the world. After the incredible successes of the past racing season, the challenge of reconfirming ourselves fascinates us. I am happy that it starts from a location like Madonna di Campiglio, a perfect expression of the “Made in Italy” of which we are proud ambassadors. Ducati is a brand distinguished by style, performance and technology, where passion for racing is a central element. Working while having fun is part of our philosophy. It adds value to what we do and allows us to commit even more by managing fatigue better. The beauty and opportunities of the mountains that welcome us are the perfect opportunities to combine the commitments of the presentation event with moments of pure delight to give us the right energy for the start of the season.”

    Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)
    “The start of a new season is always exciting, and this year, even more following a 2022 destined to remain in history. Replicating last year’s results will be challenging, but our goal is always to surpass ourselves and constantly improve. In MotoGP, in addition to World Champion Pecco Bagnaia, we will also be able to count on Enea Bastianini, third in the World Championship last year with Ducati team Gresini Racing. We are convinced that both our riders will be, again this year, among the protagonists of the Championship. For sure, the competition will be even higher. There are many strong riders on the grid, and the other manufacturers will certainly have worked hard during the winter. However, we have not been outdone, so we look forward to starting this new season and defending the three titles we won last year.”

    Gallery

    Production of MotoE bikes for the 2023 championship begins.

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    A little more than a year after the first test with Michele Pirro at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, work has begun on the “V21L” prototypes that will be the protagonists of the 2023 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship season. The production of the bikes started in December and the 23 units will be ready by mid-February. In addition to the 18 motorbikes that will be raced, five spare units will be made available to the organisation. Each prototype is assembled by expert technicians in the Ducati MotoE Racing Department with the same process, precision and attention to detail typical of the high craftsmanship used to build a MotoGP bike.

    The start of production of the “V21L” prototypes represents the beginning of a new and important chapter in Ducati’s history. For the Bologna-based company, this project was born with the aim of developing skills for its future, maintaining the approach that has always fuelled Ducati’s DNA: experimenting with technological solutions in the world of racing and working to ensure that everything developed in this area can then be used on motorbikes destined for enthusiasts all over the world.

    To do this, Ducati created the world’s most technological, refined and sophisticated electric motorcycle, the result of the joint work of Ducati R&D engineers and the Ducati Corse team. “V21L” is the MotoGP of electric motorbikes, combining the electronic technologies and chassis dimensions developed by Ducati Corse with the design process and project management typical of a road bike like the Panigale V4. It is the combination of the best skills of the two worlds, racing and production, a prototype with which Ducati experiments in a world yet to be discovered, that of electric sports bikes.

    Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati: “The start of production of the Ducati MotoE is a historic moment for our company, which with this project is thoroughly studying the technologies of the future for the world of motorcycling. It is an important area of experimentation, in which we are investing to build know-how, so that we will be ready when battery technology should allow the creation of an exciting electric road bike with the weight, performance and range that enthusiasts expect from a Ducati. We are therefore embarking on this new adventure with the aim of developing the people and skills within the company to shape what the character of a future Ducati electric road bike might be. 

    Bologna and Piazza Maggiore turn red to celebrate Ducati’s unforgettable racing year.

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    The streets of Bologna and its central square, Piazza Maggiore, were coloured in Ducati Red for the celebrations of an unforgettable 2022 racing year, which saw the Ducati Corse heroes conquer the Riders’, Constructors’ and Teams titles in the same season in both major motorcycle world championships: MotoGP and WorldSBK. An unprecedented triumph for the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer, which in this way wished to share this incredible joy with the Ducatisti and with the territory in which the company has always had its roots.

    Francesco Bagnaia and Álvaro Bautista were obviously the stars of the evening. From the stage in Piazza Maggiore, the World Champions received a tidal wave of affection from Ducatisti enthusiasts from all over the world, who could not fail to miss this historic moment of celebration, despite the rain and the cold temperatures. The city of Bologna, the Emilia-Romagna region and all of Italy celebrated together with Ducati the successes of a company that draws strength every day from its history, well rooted in Borgo Panigale, and at the same time is honoured to be ambassador of “Made in Italy” all over the world.

    A big surprise for all Ducatisti

    During the “Campioni in Piazza²” event, a big surprise was also unveiled for all the most passionate Ducatisti. To pay homage to the world titles of Bagnaia and Bautista, Ducati has in fact created two special series of Panigale V4 in limited and numbered editions, with liveries inspired respectively by the Desmosedici GP22 and the Panigale V4 R of the World Champions and with dedicated components.



    These collector’s bikes are characterized by having the liveries of Pecco Bagnaia #63 and Álvaro Bautista #19 and each bike is made unique by having the original signature of the rider on the fuel tank, protected with a layer of transparent varnish. In their production numbers, the two bikes celebrate the year Ducati was founded, 1926. Each series will in fact consist of only 260 units.

    “Nuvola Rossa: Bagnaia & Ducati’s Perfect Comb1nation”

    During the press conference that preceded the event, the documentary “Nuvola Rossa: Bagnaia & Ducati’s Perfect Comb1nation” was also presented, a short film that illustrates the most significant and exciting moments of the last three races of the MotoGP championship. The 20-minute documentary is available on Ducati’s official YouTube channel and on Ducati.com.

    Photogallery

     

    Campioni in Piazza²: the party that on December 15 will celebrate Ducati’s double World Title in Bologna.

    Posted on by Luca Ciarallo

    Just over few days remains before Campioni in Piazza²: the event in the heart of Bologna, free and open to all enthusiasts, which on 15 December will colour Piazza Maggiore red. It will be a great occasion to relive and celebrate together the unforgettable sporting season that has just ended and the extraordinary victories obtained by Ducati in the MotoGP and World Superbike championships.

    The schedule

    The party on Thursday 15 December will involve first of all the undisputed stars of the 2022 bike racing season: Francesco Bagnaia and Alvaro Bautista. On stage there will also be the “behind the scenes” figures that fans have come to know live from the Ducati pits: Luigi Dall’Igna, Paolo Ciabatti, Davide Tardozzi and Serafino Foti. 

    Barbara Pedrotti, journalist, TV presenter and great motorsport enthusiast, will be introducing and interviewing the personalities of the world of Ducati Corse, together with Guido Meda, the unmistakable voice who, race after race, narrated Bagnaia’s success in MotoGP on Italian TV.

    The program will not be lacking in moments of entertainment either, with jokes from the Romagnolo and passionate Ducatista Giuseppe Giacobazzi. The actor and voice actor Luca Ward will accompany the participants on a journey through the history of Ducati. The musical entertainment opens with a DJ-set by Fresco, a DJ and record producer known for his collaborations with Jovanotti, to then move on to the guitar notes of Bologna native musician Federico Poggipollini. The evening will conclude with a concert by J-Ax; the italian rapper, who has just announced his participation in the 2023 Sanremo Festival, will make the audience dance to a medley of his most famous songs.

    To celebrate this great milestone, Ducati has prepared a surprise for the most passionate Ducatisti, which will be unveiled directly from the stage in Piazza Maggiore.

    The event is free and open to all enthusiasts who want to celebrate together with Ducati. The stage entertainment will start at 8.00pm and conclude at approximately 10.30pm. A spectacular fireworks display will bring the show to an end.

    For everyone who wants to immerse themselves in the Ducati world, on the day of the party the visits to the Borgo Panigale factory will be intensified, with sessions starting every 15 minutes between 9.15 and 11.30 and between 1.45pm and 4.00pm. To ensure a place for the visit at the desired time, it is recommended to book and purchase the ticket online at https://tickets.ducati.com/. The Ducati Museum will be open as usual from 9.00 to 18.00.

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