Ducati presented its 2018 Ducati Desmosedici GP race machines at
its Borgo Panigale factory. Despite an awesome effort by Italian Andrea
Dovizioso, who eclipsed his team mate Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo with 261
championship points to 137, Ducati is making an evolution, rather than a
revolution, in the GP bike’s design.
Now clad in a red and grey livery, the Desmosedici
GP is said to bear a close relationship with Ducati’s top-of-the-line
superbike, the recently launched Panigale V4. Gone are the aerodynamic winglets
from the previous two seasons, on grounds of safety, and the wings on the
Desmosedici GP are now faired into the bodywork.
Meanwhile, three-time world champion Lorenzo, who
rides the #99 Desmosedici GP, failed to impress in 2017, managing only two
third places and one second place finish. “2017 was quite a difficult year for
me, because I didn’t even win one race and at the start of the championship I wasn’t
able to fight for the podium,” said Lorenzo. “I’d like to repay the passion and
the support we receive from Ducatisti all over the world with lots of wins and,
if possible, with the world title,” he continued.
Going into the 2018 MotoGP race season, winter
testing is being held at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) on January 28
to 30. Season proper begins with the Grand Prix of Qatar on March 8, and the
Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix will be held on October 28.
