From left: Michele Pirro, Gigi Dall'Igna, Andrea Iannone, Andrea Dovizioso
With factory riders Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone on-hand at Ducati Auditorium in Borgo Panigale, Ducati has shown the Desmosedici GP15 to the world. Intended for use in the 2015 MotoGP campaign by the two Italian racers, the Ducati GP15 will make its public track debut at Sepang, Malaysia on February 23.From left: Michele Pirro, Gigi Dall’Igna, Andrea Iannone, Andrea Dovizioso“I can’t wait to test the new GP15,” enthused Dovizioso. “I am very happy with the improvements that we managed to achieve last year and so, with this new project, I can only be optimistic for the com-ing season. I think that the spirit and the desire to win that I see in Ducati are vitally important for all of us.” Iannone chimed in, saying, “I am very happy to form part of the Ducati Team, because it’s always been my dream to join the factory team. I’ll ride the GP15 for the first time, in the knowledge that at the start we’re going to have to work hard to make the bike competitive. In any case I am optimistic and I can’t wait to take to the track in a few days’ time.”
CEO of Ducati Motor Holding said, “The new GP15, which is really quite revolutionary in many of its concepts, best represents the pride and the desire to win of everyone in Ducati Corse, and whom I would really like to thank for their efforts. I personally followed the final phases of starting the engine on the dyno, the first tests, the perfor-mance checking of the new engine, the assembly of the bike and starting it for the first time and I witnessed an emotional feeling and extraordinary devotion. We are only at the start but I am sure that the results will soon reward our efforts.”Ducati Corse General Manager Luigi Dall’Igna addressed the challenges Ducati faces in MotoGP for the 2015 season: “Winning a race means finishing ahead of two giants like Honda and Yamaha and their four riders, who are for sure four of the strongest, but this in any case is our aim and we know we can count on Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone, who in my opinion are capable of fighting on equal terms with their adversaries.”From a technical aspect, Dall’Igna says, “With the GP14.3 we have made some major progress with the software, which will be easy to switch over to the GP15, but also steps forward in the suspension, chassis and engine departments. The GP15 will start with the same settings as the GP14.3, but it will have many more possibilities for adjustment. Our aim this year is very ambitious, because we want to win at least one race.”
Our first segment introduces you to the new Arch 1s. This latest, slightly more sporting American V-twin, adds to the original KRGT1 coming from the boutique manufacturer based in Hawthorne, Southern California. Senior Editor Nic de Sena rode through Malibu with Gard Hollinger, who co-founded Arch Motorcycle with his friend, Keanu Reeves. The 1s is a unique ride for sure, and Nic explains what makes the bike really stand out.
For the entertaining story behind Arch Motorcycle from Gard Hollinger himself, you must listen to his podcast episode on Motos & Friends HERE
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The guest segment of Motos and Friends is brought to you by the faster and most technologically advanced, 2023 Suzuki Hayabusa—visit your local dealer or suzukicycles.com to learn more.
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In our second segment, Associate Editor Teejay Adams chats with multiple Emmy award-winning writer, Producer, Director, and actor, Thom Beers. the former Chairman & CEO of Fremantle Media North America, responsible for American Idol and America’s Got Talent.
Thom’s fertile imagination led to most of the really big reality TV shows such as ‘Deadliest Catch’ (now in its 17th season!), and many others. Of course for us in the motorcycle world, you’ll be interested to hear the genesis and story of how he started the first real fabrication reality show ‘Monster Garage’, that showcased Jesse James, and then how that led to ‘Biker Build Off’ and the ‘Zombie Choppers’ movie.
You’d imagine that most of Thom’s time is spent sitting behind a desk and on his phone. Not so. His intense stories of capturing much of the content for these shows make for some hair-raising listening.