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New carbon-fibre road bike gets a third place finish against full-on WSB-spec racers

Street-spec Ducati Superleggera gets superbike podium

Written by Ben Purvis , Date 3:01 PM
Ducati 1299 Superleggera

The first examples of Ducati’s carbon-fibre framed 1299 Superleggera have just reached their owners and to prove its ability one managed a podium in a superbike race in China.

Ducati 1299 SuperleggeraDucati test rider Alessandro Valia raced the bike in the Pan Delta Series on the Zhuhai circuit. Although only one race took place, with the second cancelled due to bad weather, the Ducati wild card manged a podium.

Racing in the ‘Open A’ class, where there are no restrictions on modifications, the bone stock Ducati might have been at a disadvantage. A third place finish proved that it’s an impressive machine.

Alessandro Valia said: “I am really satisfied with the result in Race 1 because even though the bike is completely street-legal I managed to keep the same pace as riders coming from WSBK and MotoGP that were using WSBK-spec bikes.

“My feeling with this track had been improving minute after minute that I spent on it and in fact, in spite of identical weather conditions as during Superpole, my best lap during the race one was faster that my qualifying one.

“Race 1 was beautiful and the result achieved is important. Reaching the top three in a race of this level confirms the great value and enormous potential of this fantastic bike. It’s a real shame that Race 2 was cancelled due to rain because during free practice we raced under very similar conditions and I was faster than anybody else. For sure we would have had another great race.

“The balance of the 1299 Superleggera, its easy handling and its outstanding performance make it possible to go really fast, and the standard electronics on the bike guarantees safety even in extreme conditions. Today’s race, a true challenge for this unique motorcycle, confirmed once again that the 1299 Superleggera is the street-legal motorcycle closest to the racing Superbikes.

Ducati 1299 Superleggera“As an official test rider of the 1299 Superleggera I am proud of the results of this experience in China. Special thanks to Pirelli for its invaluable support, to Engineer Giovanni Crupi of Ducati Corse who accompanied me and provided technical support in China during the race and in the days that led up to it, and thanks also to the CER – Ducati Hong Kong team that demonstrated passion and expertise, doing their part to make this result possible.

“Last but not least, I was truly struck by the enthusiasm and the following that motorbikes have in China, in particular for the competitions, and especially for a brand like Ducati that has appeal and credibility. It’s easy to see how much potential there is in this country where our bikes are increasingly emerging as icons of style and technology.”

Ducati will make 500 1299 Superleggeras. With a carbon frame, swingarm and wheels, plus a  215bhp V-twin, it’s right at the cutting edge of production bike technology. The race result suggests that the gap between street bike and racer has never been slimmer.

Want one? Bad luck. They’re all sold. But no doubt the technology will filter down to more attainable Ducatis in future.

 

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