NEW DUCATI 1098 F08 SUPERBIKE BREAKS COVER AT WORLD DUCATI
WEEK
The Ducati 1098 F08, Ducati's future World Superbike challenger,
made its public debut at the Misano World Circuit in Italy
yesterday with a number of demonstration laps in front of
over 50,000 spectators at WDW World Ducati Week 2007.
Two-times World Superbike champion Troy Bayliss was given
the honour of demonstrating the 1098 F08 machine, which is
still in its factory development stage, sporting black carbon-fibre
bodywork and aluminium fuel-tank.
The 1098 F08 has been undergoing development work at Mugello
in the hands of the Ducati Xerox Junior Team's young Superstock
riders Niccolò Canepa and Domenico Colucci, but for
the Misano spectators this was the bike's public debut.
"I just saw the new 1098 for the first time yesterday"
declared Troy. "It looks and feels good and although
it clearly doesn't feel like home after a couple of laps,
I'm sure Ducati are moving in the right direction and it will
be soon. I've still got a few things to concentrate on at
the moment, like winning this year's title, but I'm really
looking forward to testing the bike at a quieter moment in
the future."
The 1098 F08, which will replace the 999, complies with the
draft regulations for the World Superbike Championship issued
by the FIM two weeks ago. In particular engine specifications
are much closer to the road version than on the 999. For example,
the con-rods, the crankshaft and the rocker arms are all standard
components.
As for the bike itself, the level of elaboration is similar
to the F07 and in particular the frame is identical to the
road bike, while the swing-arm, front and rear suspensions
and exhausts can be modified.
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