Ducati quits WSBK
2010-08-30 08:23
Ducati has issued a shock announcement saying from 2011 the company will no longer be participating in the World Superbike Series.
According to a press release by the Italian manufacturer, Ducati says it will instead be focusing its resources on product development.
Ducati has participated with a factory team in every edition of the World Superbike Championship since it began in 1988, winning 16 Manufacturers’ world titles and 13 Riders’ world titles along the way.
“This decision is part of a specific strategy made by Ducati, the aim being to further increase technological content in production models that will arrive on the market in the coming years,” explained Gabriele Del Torchio, President and CEO of Ducati.
“In order to achieve this objective, the company’s technical resources, until now engaged with the management of the factory Superbike team, will instead be dedicated to the development of the new generation of hypersport bikes, in both their homologated and Superbike race versions.”
Ducati aims to increase the speed and efficiency with which it transfers advanced technological solutions, currently tested in the prototype championship, to the production series.
Despite the decision to interrupt its official participation in the World Superbike Championship, Ducati said it will continue to work, in collaboration with the championship organisers, other manufacturers and the FIM, to define a technical regulation aimed at containing costs.
