Ducati and FreedomRoad Financial are announcing a “last call” for the FORZA DUCATI financing program, which concludes at the end of October. Running July 10 through October 31, the FORZA DUCATI program is significant in that it incorporates the entire Ducati lineup. This means all models and all years are eligible for 6.75% financing at terms up to 48 months, providing they are brand new and being registered for the first time.

In addition to a low finance rate on the model of the customer’s choice, Ducati is offering two exciting programs as an additional benefit to those purchasing a new motorcycle. During the program period new Ducati owners may choose between generous trade-in allowances, or a year of “Full Factory Support” on select models.


( Read more )

Ducati racing legend Carl Fogarty recently took delivery of a gleaming new Ducati Hypermotard S from premier Ducati dealer, Ducati Manchester.
Fogarty, the four times World Superbike Champion is still a keen motorcyclist and Ducati fan and found the Hypermotard to be the perfect choice for the type of riding near his home in Blackburn.

The Hypermotard S perfectly complements Carl Fogarty’s racing style persona as this is a bike which is aggressive and single-minded; a high performance bike with attitude. The Hypermotard is as happy in an urban environment as it is on twisty country roads and is an exhilarating ride thanks to 90hp of Desmo power.

Carl has chosen the S version of the Hypermotard which comes with superior suspension, lighter wheels, Brembo monobloc callipers for assured braking performance and a smattering of carbon to not only reduce weight but also add to the aesthetic appeal of this stunning bike.


( Read more )

Noriyuki Haga and his Ducati Xerox squad this afternoon celebrated their first pole of the season at the Nurburgring circuit. Quick in every session so far, the Japanese rider exited for the Superpole with a steely determination, to register the fastest time in each of the three phases. The track temperature was significantly higher (26°C) than it had been in the morning and fortunately for the Superbike riders the all-important Superpole took place in dry conditions. Despite such a long career, this is only the seventh time that Haga has taken the pole and it came at just the right moment, with only four rounds of the championship left to run.

After the physical problems he has suffered over the last two months, this result demonstrates that Nitro-Nori is back in shape and ready to fight for the world title. Team-mate Michel Fabrizio is also on the pace this weekend and, despite an error during his fast lap in the final Superpole session, he nevertheless secured a place on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s races, fourth behind the two Hondas of Rea and Haslam.

The Superbike riders also escaped rain in the morning’s second qualifying session and so lap times dropped considerably with respect to yesterday. Fourth and fifth at the end of play yesterday, the Ducati Xerox men Michel and Noriyuki today made the progress that both had envisaged, qualifying easily for the afternoon Superpole session. Noriyuki was the fastest rider on track while Michel was two tenths of a second behind in third, Yamaha’s Ben Spies closing in second.


( Read more )

Ducati Marlboro Team riders Nicky Hayden and Mika Kallio are confident of putting on a performance to delight the thousands of Ducatisti in the crowd at tomorrow’s San Marino Grand Prix after qualifying sixth and eleventh respectively in this afternoon’s qualifying session. Hayden was the second fastest rider on track in the first and final sections of the Misano circuit but, like yesterday, he struggled with the fast right-hander in T3. However, on his penultimate lap the American shaved two tenths off his previous best through that sector alone to improve his overall best time by three tenths and move up to the second row for the second successive race. Kallio also made progresses but not enough to improve his position on the time sheets and the Finn will start from row four.


( Read more )

The Ducati Xerox Team are back from their holidays and now pack their bags for round 11 of the World Superbike Championship, the action taking place this time at Germany’s legendary Nürburgring. Since the last round at Brno, the Superbike circus has taken its traditional summer break, six weeks in length this year, giving the riders a substantial period in which to rest and recuperate in preparation for the final push. Ducati Xerox riders Noriyuki Haga and Michel Fabrizio have enjoyed the time off, Noriyuki returning home to Japan to see family and friends and Michel passing the time at home in Rome.

Both riders, who between them have put the Ducati Xerox Team on the podium in nineteen of the twenty races held so far, are fighting fit and ready for the all important final four rounds of the World Superbike Championship.

Last time out, on the Czech track of Brno more than a month ago, Michel crashed out of Race 1 but climbed onto the podium in the second race, consolidating his third place position in the overall rider classification. Noriyuki, less than 100% fit and riding with fractures to his right ulna and left shoulder blade, knew that it would be hard to fight for podiums and finished the races in eighth and sixth position, taking valuable points that means he maintains his championship lead going into the eleventh round.

The infamous Ring returned to the Superbike calendar in 2008 after an eight year absence. The June appointment saw two wet races, the first restarted and the second cut short due to the adverse weather conditions. On board the factory Yamaha, Noriyuki powered his way to the double win at the Ring last season, also taking the lap record in the process, and the Ducati Xerox squad is hopeful he can do a similar job with his Ducati 1198 this year. Michel’s first experience of the track was last year’s race weekend, and although the Italian rider came away with good points, he will be looking for a big improvement this year, to maintain the performance level that has seen him finish ten of the last twelve races on the podium.


( Read more )

The MotoGP World Championship returned to Indianapolis today and was again struck by the wet weather curse that saw last year’s race cancelled with eight laps remaining. Thankfully there was no sign of the high winds from twelve months ago and the first free practice session went ahead without delay, with the impressive Nicky Hayden and stand-in team-mate Mika Kallio lapping second and eleventh fastest respectively in the soaking conditions.


( Read more )

Nicky Hayden recorded his second best result of the season so far at Brno today, where he crossed the line in sixth place following a weekend of hard work and continual progress with his team. The American didn't get the best of starts and was boxed in by the group around him but he fought back to regain positions and kept pace with the riders ahead of him to take the chequered flag less than four seconds behind the final podium finisher.

Mika Kallio, making his debut for the Ducati Marlboro Team in place of Casey Stoner, produced a competitive pace but was unable to make it to the end of his first race with the team following a misunderstanding with Marco Melandri, the two riders colliding and crashing out of their battle for eighth place. However, it was a satisfying weekend for the Finn, a rookie in the MotoGP class, who has set competitive lap times all weekend.


( Read more )

Unlucky race for the Pramac Racing debutant Michel Fabrizio who after Friday contusion at the right shoulder during free practice has today torn his right shoulder muscle. This didn't allow him to conclude the Czech Republic Grand Prix as he retired after five laps. His teammate, Niccolò Canepa, made it to conclude in twelfth place not the most exciting race. Niccolò has tried to remain with the other riders in the first part of the race, but in the second half due to the high temperatures the rear tyre didn't allow him to continue to maintain the same rhythm and he decided to end the race without taking too many risks. The Italian rider will have the chance to do better in two weeks time in the United States of America for the Grand Prix of Indianapolis, twelfth round of the 2009 MotoGP World Championship.


( Read more )

Ducati UK has just made a customer’s decision to purchase a new Ducati Superbike even easier with a full factory supported maintenance programme for all new Ducati Superbikes purchased from the 1st July until 30th September.

The maintenance programme includes the initial 600 mile service, 1st annual service and if the mileage is reached a 7,500 mile service.

Bikes eligible for the maintenance scheme includes the award winning 848, the stunning 1198, the traction control and Ohlins fitted 1198S through to the ultimate Ducati Superbikes, the 1098R and 1098R Bayliss Replica.

To be eligible for the scheme, bikes must be new, unregistered and purchased from an authorised dealer.

Ducati is also pleased to announce a new promotion to encourage potential Hypermotard owners. Any customer purchasing a new Hypermotard or Hypermotard S between the 1st July and 30th September will receive a free set of Termignoni slip-on carbon exhausts. Termignoni exhausts are a key feature of the DNA of every Ducati Motorcycle providing the distinctive ‘Desmo’ sound, a must-have accessory for many Ducatisti.

For further information regarding this promotion, visit www.ducatiuk.com

Michel Fabrizio and his Ducati Xerox squad concluded official testing at the international Imola circuit today and the Roman rider again dominated proceedings until the final minutes when Honda man Rea went out on a qualifier, improving on Michel’s fastest time by two tenths of a second. The Ducati Xerox Team are nonetheless extremely satisfied with the amount of work carried out in such extreme weather conditions.


( Read more )