TEAM DUCATI XEROX UNVEILS THE NEW LIVERY OF THE 1098 F08
Jerez de la Frontera (Spain), Wednesday 30th January: during
the official presentation of the Ducati 1098 R, which took
place this week at the Spanish track in Jerez de la Frontera,
Team Ducati Xerox have unveiled the new livery of the Ducati
1098 F08 that will participate in the World Superbike Championship.
The new 1098 F08 is directly derived from the 1098 R and
has been developed as a result of the new World Superbike
regulations that allow for both 1200cc two-cylinder machines
and 1000cc four-cylinders to line up on the grid together
for the first time.
Never before has a Ducati Superbike been so similar to the
road version, with its production engine having very few modifications
made to it, the changes limited essentially to the pistons,
camshafts and transmission.
Filippo Preziosi, Director General of Ducati Corse, has followed
the evolution of this bike from the start. He underlines the
importance of the new project, that confirms and reinforces
the level of commitment that Ducati Corse makes to the Superbike
championship.
"2008 is a very important year for Ducati as it sees
the debut of the 1098 F08 race bike in the World Superbike
championship, a bike derived from the impressive 1098 R that
has already become a technological point of reference with
regard to production sport bikes. This season Ducati Corse
lines up the official Ducati Xerox Team and provides extensive
technical support to the satellite teams, confident that great
results will be achieved thanks also to the level of expertise
of all its riders. A warm welcome to our new partners that
will support us this season and particular thanks to all the
sponsors who have renewed their faith in the project, especially
Xerox and Shell."
Italian rider Michel Fabrizio (Ducati Xerox) was present
in Jerez and took to the track, riding both the 1098 R and
1098 F08 during test sessions.
Michel Fabrizio: "I didn't expect to
be so emotional seeing the new livery of my bike and my suit
for the first time here in Jerez. This event, in which the
1098 R was presented to the press, has helped me to see just
how effectively Ducati transfers its racing know-how to the
production of its road bikes and how, in this way, bike enthusiasts
are able to have high-performance machines that are as unique
as these. The season is about to get under way and I am highly
motivated. I can't wait to start the championship with this
fantastic bike."
Team-mate Troy Bayliss was absent from the event as he continues
to recuperate after having fractured his collarbone during
the recent test session in Phillip Island. He is recovering
well from his injury and the talented Australian rider will
return to the track at the next test session to take place
in Qatar on 12th February.
|
