2018 Ducati MotoGP Bike Exposed
With less than two weeks to go before the first official MotoGP test in 2018 at Sepang International Circuit (January 28-30), the Ducati Team unveiled its Desmosedici GP18 prototype alongside factory riders Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, and test rider Michele Pirro.
The pre-season press event, held this year in Ducati Auditorium in Bologna, is typically highlighted by the factory Ducati pilots. But this year it was hard to focus on the riders due to the radical bodywork on the new Desmosedici GP18 (more Formula 1 than MotoGP?).
“When you come close to winning the title, like last year, it’s easy to lose direction in the development of the bike, and so all the innovations that we will introduce on the new Desmosedici GP will be characterized by evolution, not revolution,” said Luigi Dall’Igna.
“I believe that both Ducati Team riders, Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, are true added value for us and that both of them can aim for the world title in 2018. We only have to make one final step, and we know that it’s not going to be easy because we are up against some really tough rivals and with companies that are much bigger than us. In any case we will try and do everything possible to make 2018 a truly memorable year for us and for all the Ducatisti.”
Both riders also discussed last season and the goals for 2018 MotoGP, which begins March 18 in Qatar.
“After finishing runner-up with six wins in 2017, naturally our objective can be nothing less than fight to win the championship, but we must remain with our feet firmly on the ground because we know that each year brings with it something different. In any case we are starting off with the competitive level of last year and we must only remain focused 100% like last year, when me and my team worked really well together.”
“The work of the team was very important and Ducati helped me a lot to adapt the bike to my riding style, and so I think that in 2018 we’ll be starting with a much more competitive base. Andrea and the Desmosedici GP demonstrated that we have everything in place to try and win the world championship, and I think that I have the strength and the experience necessary to fight together with him to achieve this aim.
“I believe a lot in our chances and I’m convinced that we are stronger than one year ago. For me to be a Ducatista is something really special: I’m very proud to have accepted this challenge and I have felt part of the family since the very first day, and so I’d like to repay the passion and the support we receive from Ducatisti all over the world with lots of wins and, if possible, with the world title.”
Following are the official specs of the Ducati GP18, and the career statistics of Dovizioso and Lorenzo.
2018 Ducati Desmosedici GP18 Technical Specs:
- Engine: Liquid cooled, 90° V4, four stroke, evo desmodromic DOHC, four valves per cylinder
- Capacity: 1,000cc
- Maximum power: Over 250hp
- Maximum speed: Over 350 km/h (218 mph)
- Transmission: Ducati Seamless Transmission (DST_EVO). Chain final drive
- Fueling: Indirect electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above and below the butterfly valves. Throttles operated by the new EVO 2 TCF (Throttle Control & Feedback) system
- Fuel: Shell Racing V Power
- Lubricant: Shell Advance Ultra 4
- Exhaust: Akrapovic
- Final Drive: D.I.D Chain
- Frame: Aluminum alloy evo twin spar
- Suspension: Öhlins inverted 48mm front fork and Öhlins rear shock absorber, adjustable for preload, new factory evolution damping system
- Electronics: Magneti Marelli ECU programmed with Dorna Unified Software
- Tires: Michelin 17″ front and rear
- Brakes: Brembo, two 340mm carbon front discs with four piston calipers. Single stainless steel rear disc with two piston caliper
- Dry weight: 157 kg (346.1 lbs.)
Andrea Dovizioso Racing Statistics:
- Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP
- Race Number: 04
- GPs started: 276 (178 x MotoGP, 49 x 250cc, 49 x 125cc)
- First GP: Qatar 2008 (MotoGP), Spain 2005 (250cc), Italy 2001 (125cc)
- Wins: 8 (MotoGP) + 4 (250cc) + 5 (125cc)
- First Win: Britain 2009 (MotoGP), Catalunya 2006 (250cc), South Africa 2004 (125cc)
- Pole Positions: 5 (MotoGP) + 4 (250cc) + 9 (125cc)
- First Pole: Japan 2010 (MotoGP), France 2006 (250cc), France 2003 (125cc)
- Fastest laps: 5 (MotoGP) + 8 (250cc) + 3 (125cc)
- Points: 1907 (MotoGP) + 721 (250cc) + 492 (125cc)
- World Titles: 1 (125cc, 2004)
Jorge Lorenzo Racing Statistics:
- Bike: Ducati Desmosedici GP
- Race Number: 99
- GPs started: 268 (174 x MotoGP, 48 x 250cc, 46 x 125cc)
- First GP: Qatar 2008 (MotoGP), Spain 2005 (250cc), Spain 2002 (125cc)
- Wins: 44 (MotoGP) + 17 (250cc) + 4 (125cc)
- First Win: Portugal 2008 (MotoGP), Spain 2006 (250cc), Brazil 2003 (125cc)
- Pole Positions: 39 (MotoGP) + 23 (250cc) + 3 (125cc)
- First Pole: Qatar 2008 (MotoGP), Italy 2005 (250cc), Malaysia 2003 (125cc)
- Fastest laps: 29 (MotoGP) + 4 (250cc) + 3 (125cc)
- Points: 2737 (MotoGP) + 768 (250cc) + 279 (125cc)
- World Titles: 3 x MotoGP (2010, 2012, 2015) + 2 x 250cc (2006, 2007)