Valentino and the 2011 Ducati unveiled....

[Big Gordy]

...at the spectacular Madonna di Campiglio ski resort......NICE
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/sp...i-2011-ducati/

Seems Vale's shoulder injury last year was a lot worse than was first expected He recons the shoulder wont be 100% for the first race
I think this season is gonna be a cracker
My tips for the season ahead.......
Watch out for Stoner who I think will be blisteringly fast on the Honda (if he can stay on it)
Hayden who is now gelling nicely with the Ducati and after Rossi's input the front end issues should be banished
And how can you not back Vale (he could be riding a scooter and he'd still be fast)

[N16SHP]

WOW! Beautiful looking bike. I love the classic styling of the graphics! It's funny, you'd think that i'd be happy that my team has acquired the GOAT, but i'm still not coming round to it yet!!

[Penny Louise]

I have weekend tickets for the MotoGP at Silverstone in June this year!! So excited!!

[Gismo]

I have weekend tickets for the MotoGP at Silverstone in June this year!! So excited!!

I'm just waiting on confirmation of a new contract and rota and hopefully i'll get to Indianapolis this year

[zimbo]

WooHoo AWESOME, I've been waiting for the pics of the new bike for ages now, and I'm not disappointed...

I too cannot wait for this years racing to start and I think this years is going to be a cracking season and I think the one guy who could be the one to keep an eye out for battling with all the usual suspects will be Ben Spies now that he has a great bike/Team this year so this is just going to add to the excitement this year!!

Come on Doc

[euan]

Looks cracking, but here's a question (I'm not a massive bike or regulations person) for those in the know - are they allowed to put winglets on it? I think they look naff and run the risk of these bikes going all F1 with bits sprouting all over them.

[Big Gordy]

Yes they're allowed to put winglets onStoner ran them the tail end of last season to see if they could help with the front end issues he was having
As far as I know the only limitation they have is a maximum weight....not including the rider...that's why wee Danni Pedrosa is always first out of the blocks as he only weighs about 6 stone soaking wet They all have anti wheelie and a form of traction control fitted.....not ABS tho This year is the last of the 800 I believe as they're going to 1000's next season which should suit the likes of Hayden and the rest of the rear wheel steering brigade

[Gismo]

Not so sure i like the yellow on the Duc
Just doesn't look right to me

[euan]

Yes they're allowed to put winglets onStoner ran them the tail end of last season to see if they could help with the front end issues he was having
As far as I know the only limitation they have is a maximum weight....not including the rider...that's why wee Danni Pedrosa is always first out of the blocks as he only weighs about 6 stone soaking wet They all have anti wheelie and a form of traction control fitted.....not ABS tho This year is the last of the 800 I believe as they're going to 1000's next season which should suit the likes of Hayden and the rest of the rear wheel steering brigade

Thanks for that, I guess with that much power and no weight they need traction control though as you could see in F1 it became too clever and anyone could drive the car quickly (Massa...).

I much prefer series where the engineers are allowed to do some more interesting designs - Le Mans is the same as they have many ways to get the same effect.

[zimbo]

Not so sure i like the yellow on the Duc
Just doesn't look right to me

I quite like it, it looks different. plus I think that that colour comes with Rossi as part of his contracts so to speak so you'll maybe find Ducati had to include it on his bike somewhere... I cant wait to see it and even hear it in the flesh!!

It looks like a big heavy bike