Motociclete, motoare – viata pe doua roti

Ducati North America has announced 2011 motorcycle sales growth of 43 percent compared to 2010 and a record market share in all of it’s territories: US, Canada and Mexico. This result established North America as Ducati’s number one market for the first time ever.

Source: Ducati North America

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Ducati may be playing its cards close to its chest ahead of the first 2012 pre-season MotoGP test at Sepang where we will get a look at the details and the performance of the new Ducati Desmosedici GP12 on January 31st, but satellite Ducati racer Karel Abraham seems to be under no gag order.  His team have let slip that the satellite bikes have 250hp, hit 360km/h (224mph) and are in fact the full 999cc.

The capacity of the new bike, now confirmed at 999cc, had been the source of much discussion with even There is still news to come however.  The satellite bikes will be the twin spar frame machines tested at Valencia late last year, whereas the factory machines ridden by Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden have been If you liked this post please consider becoming a Fan of Ducati News Today on Facebook and Read More Posts on Read More Posts on the

Ducati celebrated today the start of production of a model they have high hopes for both on the street and the track.  The company has begun production of the Ducati 1199 Panigale.  All the Ducati employees got involved including the CEO, Gabriele Del Torchio.  Plant Director Silvano Fini “baptized” one of the very first bike off the line with sparkling wine.  If your new 1199 is a little sticky, that will be the reason why!

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An important single-owner collection of 100 significant Ducati motorcycles along with some from Ducati Corse itself will be auctioned off . The presentation of the renowned Saltarelli Collection will see RM’s highly-anticipated Monaco auction extended to two-days in 2012, with the motorcycles magnificently complementing the roster of blue-chip automobiles.  In addition to the Saltarelli Collection, RM Auctions is delighted to announce the presence of the Ducati Factory and Museum at the Monaco auction along with the sale of some fantastic ex-Works racing machines, sourced directly from the Ducati Corse racing department. Ducati will also offer a fascinating collection of memorabilia directly from the factory.

“We are honoured to have been entrusted by Mr. Saltarelli to offer his exceptional collection at our upcoming Monaco sale,” says Max Girardo, managing director at RM Europe. “The ability to announce the presence of the Ducati Factory at the sale with the inclusion of some wonderful ex-Works race bikes, makes the Monaco auction a truly once in a lifetime opportunity for Ducati collectors and enthusiasts. We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Ithe Ducati Factory as we continue to align ourselves with the world’s leading brands.”

CEO and President of Ducati Motor Holding, Gabriele Del Torchio said:

“We are delighted that an auction house as prestigious as RM Auctions will be offering the Saltarelli collection of historic Ducati motorcycles and I am proud to complement the event by offering some very special motorcycles from our Ducati Corse racing department. This incredible sale will enable passionate bidders to take ownership of unique pieces of Ducati history, from the Ducati Cucciolo to a Ducati Desmosedici MotoGP machine.”

Carlo Saltarelli is an ex-Ducati factory test rider, racer and dealer, who carefully amassed his incredible collection of bikes over the past 30 years of his amazing career. Of the stunning 100 motorcycles offered ‘without reserve’ are several race machines worthy of specific attention. The highlight of the collection, and a lot that will undoubtedly attract strong interest from discerning bike collectors, is the 1970 Ex-Works Ducati 450 Desmo “Corsa”, a bike presented in the Ducati Museum book and a feature display at the Ducati museum in Bologna in recent years.

The Saltarelli Collection also features a beautiful 1990 Ex-Works Ducati 888 SBK, ridden in period by Giancarlo Falappa. A factory-raced 888 is a rare bike indeed, and this example represents a not-to-be-missed ownership opportunity.  Other significant lots include a brace of 750SS race bikes from the 1970s including an ex-factory 1973/4 Ducati 750SS, Race Number 1, ridden in 1975 works rider Franco Uncini, and a 1974 Ducati 750SS, Race Number 23, which also boasts an illustrious racing history, having scored a number of victories and podium finishes during the 1974 and 1975 seasons, often in the hands of Carlo Saltarelli himself.

Other significant lots include:

• 1956 Ducati 125 Moto Giro F3, an original factory-built privateer racing machine
• 1979 Ducati 860 Mike Hailwood Replica Series 1, an original, un-restored and desirable Series 1 Mike Hailwood Replica
• 2000 Ducati MH900E, a delivery mileage ex Motorshow machine, previously displayed at the Ducati factory
• 1970 Ducati 450 Desmo Scrambler,  an original, un-restored and very desirable Desmo Scrambler finished in yellow
• 1997 Ex Team Gio.Ca.Moto Ducati 748R, a stunning ex-Team Gio.Ca.Moto racing 748 in yellow livery
• An iconic 1970 Ducati 250 Desmo “Silver Shotgun”

For further information, full event details or to discuss consignment opportunities for RM’s 2012 Monaco sale, contact RM’s London office on +44 20 7851 7070 or visit If you liked this post please consider becoming a Fan of Ducati News Today on Facebook and 

Despite the fact that , photo courtesy of Asphalt & Rubber

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Read More Posts on the Read More Posts on 2012 Ducati Superbike Hits the Track at Mugello There is more than one Ducati on track at Mugello today. Whilst much attention is focussed on Valentino Rossi and his second outing on the 2012 Ducati Desmosedici GP12 which will conform to the new 1,000 regulations, another tester is circulating on the highly anticipated and radical new Ducati Superbike….