Following its title in the 2014 FIM Superstock 1000 series, the Barni Racing Team (Ducati) is celebrating once again.
Barni Racing Team and its 1199 Panigale R have won the 2014 CIV Italian Superbike Championship – helping Ducati earn both the riders’ and manufacturers’ titles.
The Barni Racing Team Panigale R, piloted by Ivan Goi, was unstoppable during the CIV series; Goi amassed four wins and a few podiums to take the title from Matteo Baiocco, who also pilots an 1199 Panigale R (Grandi Corse & A P Racing).
While the opening round went to Baiocco, followed by Goi, second, it was the Barni Racing rider who would cross the line first in race 2, at Mugello, and again in races 5 and 6, at Imola. These race wins, plus further podium finishes at Vallelunga and Misano, would mean that Ivan entered the season finale with a 14-point advantage over Baiocco. The results of both Goi and Baiocco would see Ducati accumulate a 42-point advantage over second-placed BMW in the manufacturer’s championship prior to the final round.
The final double-header took place this weekend at the Mugello circuit. While Goi qualified in second position for the two races, Baiocco lined up in seventeenth place on the grid. In race one, that took place on Saturday afternoon and in dry conditions, Goi immediately took the lead and was able to maintain this position and expertly manage the race to cross the line first, scoring his fourth win of the season.
Baiocco was able to make a fantastic recovery over the 14-lap race, progressing from seventeenth to final second position. With both Goi and Baiocco on the podium, Ducati thus secured the manufacturers’ title after this penultimate race of the season.
In Sunday’s deciding race, the two Ducati men battled all the way to the line. Baiocco concluded the race second, followed by Goi, third. This meant that it was Goi who scored the championship win, having accumulated a total of 182 points, to Baiocco’s 167.
Sunday’s final race of the season was won by Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado, also on board the 1199 Panigale R and on track this weekend as a wildcard entry with team Barni Racing.
No novice to competition, the Barni Racing team has experienced great success in this championship in recent years, having won a variety of Italian Superbike and Superstock 1000 titles each year since 2009.
This season the same Italian outfit also triumphed in the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup with the Ducati 1199 Panigale R. Competing in the international championship with riders Leandro ‘Tati’ Mercado and Ondrej Jezek, it was Mercado who ultimately secured the rider’s title for Ducati.
Speaking of the 2014 season, Marco Barnabò – Barni Racing Team Manager – says “It’s been an extraordinary season, rich in success. First we won the Superstock 1000 FIM Cup with Leandro Mercado and today the national Superbike title with Ivan Goi.
“I’m particularly proud of the work that the entire team has done; we’ve worked as hard as possible, both at the tracks and at home, without making mistakes, scoring one success after another.
“This year we decided to swap to Michelin and, despite not having experience with these tires, we’ve been able to make the difference, thanks also to their precious support, and win a very important title. I thank Ducati for the support it has given us throughout the entire season as well as all of our sponsors.”