Ducati MotoGP News
The “driving force” behind the Ducati MotoGP Team arrived in Borgo Panigale today, the home of Ducati.
This force consisted of seven MAN TGX 18.480 tractors that will pull the semi-trailers for both the Ducati Team (motorcycles, parts, workshop, etc.) and the hospitality units to all European circuit on the 2013 MotoGP Schedule.
When the MAN tractors donning Ducati Corse livery arrived at Ducati, the following men were present: CEO of Ducato Motor Holding Gabriele Del Torchio, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus Giancarlo Codazzi, Ducati Corse Project Director Paolo Ciabatti,, and one of the MotoGP pilots, newly-signed Andrea Dovizioso. The other MotoGP rider, Nicky Hayden, was not present.
The German-manufactured tractors feature an XXL cab, the largest in its class, 480 hp (353 kW) 13-liter and six-cylinder in-line common rail turbocharged diesel engine and 12-speed automated gearbox.
The tractors are “full optional” and include the following safety equipment: xenon headlights, ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control) that automatically adjusts the vehicle’s speed to the vehicle ahead and LGS (Lane Guard System ) that alerts the driver when he is driving over the line of the lane. Attention to safety is one of basic elements of MAN Truck & Bus philosophy, even more so when you have the responsibility to transport goods as precious as racing bikes, Ducati says.
The MAN TGX tractors have been particularly equipped internally, with large use of black leather for seats, door panels and steering wheel, all embellished with red stitching. The upper part of the dashboard is finished in “carbon”, and last but not least for driver comfort and entertainment the MAN Truck Media Advanced and MAN sound system for high quality music playback and a satellite navigator specific for commercial vehicles, Ducati says.
The MotoGP World Championship is the highest category of motorcycle road racing in circuits; the 2013 edition will take place over 18 rounds in four continents, including 11 races in seven major European countries (Italy, Germany, Great Britain, France, Spain, Holland and Czech Republic).
Ducati’s involvement in MotoGP began in 2003, with Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, who took the Ducati Desmosedici to its debut in Japan. In the last decade the Borgo Panigale Team has obtained 33 victories, winning the world Riders’ and Manufacturers’ title in 2007 with Australian Casey Stoner.
This year, the Ducati Team will participate in the MotoGP championship with Andrea Dovizioso, the 26 year-old Italian rider from Forli on his debut with the Desmosedici GP13 and Nicky Hayden, 31 year-old American from Kentucky, in his fifth season with Ducati colors.
