Ducati unveils 2011 MotoGP challenger

From Ducati Press

TRENTO, ITALY -- The spectacular scenery of the Trento Dolomites served as the background for the first official photos of the Ducati Desmosedici GP11 in its new livery on Wednesday.

“The 2011 season opens a sort of third phase for our MotoGP project,” said Claudio Domenicali, General Director of Ducati Motor Holding. “The first was with Loris Capirossi, who in just six races took the Desmosedici to its first win. The second brought the World Championship crown, thanks to Casey Stoner, in 2007. The big news for 2011, which opens a third phase, is the arrival of Valentino Rossi on the team.

"It’s an important phase for our company, which relies a lot on research and development, and which uses the MotoGP series not only as a venue for winning, but also as a laboratory for advanced research. Valentino is universally recognized as a master at taking a bike to its limits, but also at providing feedback that’s extremely useful for development. We think this skill will give us a big push for improving our engineering, and to always give our fans the best bikes possible."

“The thing that struck me the most about Vale,” said Filippo Preziosi, General Director of Ducati Corse, “is his great ability to create a positive climate around himself. On the other hand, one thing that I’d heard about him but that I found to be even more true than I expected was his ability to analyze details in the bike’s behaviour and to describe them in an incredibly precise way. It’s very valuable because the rider is gives us considerable information that we wouldn’t otherwise have. The quality of this information will make a big difference.”

Moving on to the topic of the GP11, the Ducati engineer explained the principal changes for the new season.

“The bike we see here at Madonna di Campiglio is the GP11 ‘step 0,’ as it represents the initial level from which we plan to evolve," Preziosi explained. "The principal characteristics are the evolution of the motor and of the throttle body thought to obtain, fundamentally, a flatter and more useable power curve. As for the chassis, the aerodynamics are completely new, with the goal of improving top speed, reducing consumption, and also reducing front lift as much as possible.

"Other aspects we’re working on for the Malaysia tests in February are the new frame, which has already undergone various tests of rigidity and flex — for torsion and under braking — a swingarm with different rigidity characteristics, and a fork that combines the 2011 hydraulics with the 42mm tubes, instead of 48. As for the electronics, we’re working on wheelie control and traction control.

"We know that Valentino isn’t at 100 percent, and Sepang is a very ‘physical’ track, so we’ll try to optimize his sessions and to use his time on the track in a ‘surgical’ way in order to have his feedback. Many tests will also be entrusted to Nicky Hayden, who will be able to ride normally. We’re working hard, but the atmosphere at Ducati is really nice, very electric and positive, and we can’t wait to get back on the track.”