After the announcement that Ducati was pulling out of the world superbike competition, the company either underestimated the PR-fallout that would take place or overestimated just how badly Italy wanted Valentino Rossi in Ducati. Because since the announcement, the company has had to clarify its decision somewhat, with statements from Ducati President Gabriele del Torchio.

He says that the signing of Valentino Rossi to the Ducati MotoGP team has nothing to do with the decision and that it’s a simple restructure of company costs. The statements came during the announcement that Ducati has resigned Nicky Hayden. Del Torchio says:

“Firstly, I’d like to say that Ducati is not leaving SBK. We will continue to race as a satellite team, just like the Japanese do. The world changes and we need to streamline our resources. Basically, the engineers that are currently in SBK will move to developing new production models and improving quality. There will be private teams on the track - that seems logical to me. We are definitely not abandoning the SBK because its in our company DNA.”

Continue reading: Del Torchio: Ducati in SBK as satellite team

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UPDATE: Ducati Press Release

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.

While Jeremy Burgess was spinning MCN with “I’m not as convinced as I was” admitting for the first time that Valentino Rossi may not remain in Yamaha in 2011, Ducati’s CEO Gabriele Del Torchio who declared his admiration for Rossi during the Wrooom event last January has let the second worst kept MotoGP secret (least we forget the Stoner/Honda stories) out of the bag, confirming that the 9 times World Champion will be dressing and riding red next season.

Having stolen Rossi’s thunder that he would have revealed at the upcoming Brno GP, Del Torchio speaking to Cycle World said This season will not bring to Ducati any crown in the sport” said Del Torchio “but I look forward to Valentino Rossi teaming up with Nicky Hayden.”

Del Torchio went on with: “Nicky is a wonderful person and a great rider. This year, he greatly contributed to improving our Desmosedici racer. Next year, he and Valentino will hone the bike to its ultimate winning potential.”

We’re sure that Nicky Hayden will be mighty pleased with this confirmation and with the Italian CEO having spilled the beans, we now can expect that Yamaha’s Lin Jarvis may not want to wait for the Czech GP to announce the Lorenzo-Spies line-up.

UPDATE:
According to Motoblog.it Ducati has denied the Rossi story and are waiting for an official press release from Borgo Panigale to clarify the story.

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Following the Ducati tradition, the newest and hottest member of the Italian marque’s family, the four-in-one Multistrada 1200 received it’s official christening with the mandatory bottle of bubbly, when the first MTS in white, rolled off the floor in Borgo Panigale, in the presence of Claudio Domenicali, Gabriele Del Torchio and Silvano Fini.

Source | motoblog

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Ducati and their sponsors have never hidden the fact that they would love to have 9 times World Champion Valentino Rossi in their team, but to say it however slyly during the official 2010 MotoGP team presentation lacks a certain amount of tact.

Gabriele De Torchio is the President of Ducati Motor Holding was quoted as saying: “We would like to win the world championship with an Italian rider also because it would enhance our image as a quality Italian brand.”

This year is special because many contracts will expire so there’s an astral conjuction Stoner’s contract is up, same with Rossi, Lorenzo and Pedrosa. So it’s right think that in 2011 there will be a different scenario, what it will be, we’ll soon see… Valentino is without a doubt a great communicator, a great champion and plus he’s Italian.”

Continue reading: Valentino Rossi in Ducati? Silly Season starts at Wrooom

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Here’s Borgo Panigale second episode on Ducati Desmosedici RR which explains the technical aspects of this street legal MotoGP motorcycle.

If you missed the first episode , check it out after the jump.

Continue reading: 2° Video of the Ducati Desmosedici RR

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A historic moment in the Ducati company has occurred with the design of a new logo. The new emblem has kept the red Ducati colour, but reflects a heart-shape, showing passion for, and dedication to, the Ducati brand.

Managing Director, Gabriele del Torchio, revealed the new logo at the Ducati Eicma presentation, together with a video showing the various elements that lead to the design - everything from the curves of road corners, to the tank of a Ducati.

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Ducati is presenting the new Monster 1100 bike at Intermot but also the new GT1000 Touring. The new GT 1000 Touring is an evolution of the Sport Classic family in terms of its components and accessories. The bike has a classic look with chrome handlebars , a luggage rack and front and rear fenders. The colour of the new Touring is gloss black. Troy’s Ducati 1098 and Casey Stoner’s GP bike are on show at the stand in Cologne.

“We have decided to strengthen our presence at Cologne,” stated Gabriele Del Torchio, Ducati’s CEO, during the show’s opening press conference, “because we understand the importance of this trade show, the show that opens the season for European industry exhibitions. Our strong presence here also demonstrates our commitment with regard to the German clients as well as clarifying our intention to grow in the German market, the second most important European market for Ducati. For these reasons we have decided to present the Monster 1100 and the new GT 1000 Touring for the first time here.”

Gabriele Del Torchio also commented on the results of the first six months of 2008, stating that, “Despite the slowing of the motorcycle market across the world, with sales in Europe falling by more than 7%, Ducati, thanks to its products and to the quality of its distribution networks has grown by roughly 8% with regard to the previous year.”

Source | Ducati

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Everything is ready for the arrival of the new Ducati Monster 696, which will be on sale from April in Ducati store’s across the world. The naked bike which has created its own segment and which still keeps its ties to a model that debuted in far off 1992 is about to change its skin and return to its roots.

The whole project has been orientated to move forward with a philosophy that has made the “Mostro” famous throughout the world - a bike that gives life to a balance between performance and daily driving pleasure.

Continue reading: Everything ready for the arrival of the Monster 696

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