The eighth edition of World Ducati Week, the international, bi-annual Ducati gathering that attracts countless enthusiasts from the global Ducati community, has been deemed an outstanding success by organisers, thrilling the tens of thousands of motorcyclists who filled the “Marco Simoncelli” Misano World Circuit from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 July in a sign of loyalty, passion and love for Ducati and the legendary bikes built in Borgo Panigale, Bologna, Italy.
Their passion is best illustrated by the figures: some 65,000 people attended this 3-day edition, equalling the record set back in 2012 when WDW was a 4-day event. Participants arrived from five continents and 56 different countries. Sixty per cent of attendees at WDW2014 might have been Italian, but it’s the other forty per cent, inlcuding, of course, plenty of Australian Ducatisti who had made their way to Italy and adding to the international flavour further was plenty of enthusiasts from the USA, Europe, Australia, Russia and India. Some had travelled from as far away as Brazil, China and Malaysia. Others, amazingly, came from Gabon, Iceland and Nepal, all united by a “Desmo” passion that, in an event of this magnitude, is off the scale.
Three great days, the most intense of which was Saturday 19 July, the day that drew in the biggest crowds. In addition to the wide variety of events, the highlight of the day was the final showdown of the Diavel Drag Race by Tudor which saw Ducati Corse riders (MotoGP and SBK) battle it out on the starting straight of the “Marco Simoncelli” Misano World Circuit on powerful Ducati Diavel Carbon bikes. Victory was claimed by Regis Laconi (former official Ducati SBK rider), with Matteo Baiocco (current Ducati SBK test rider) the runner-up. Third place went to Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), fourth to Michele Pirro (test rider for Ducati Team in MotoGP). It was an exhilarating competition, placing pros of the highest calibre, past and present, head to head: Troy Bayliss, Carlos Checa, Andrea Iannone, Yonny Hernandez, Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies together with “King” Carl Fogarty and Pierfrancesco Chili.
[youtube id=”3CukWpNqKPs” width=”853″ height=”480″]
Immediately after the race, in front of a crowd estimated to be over 10,000 strong, all the riders, plus key management – led by Ducati Motor Holding CEO, Claudio Domenicali, and Audi CEO, Rupert Stadler – saluted the public in an impressive ride-past. Afterwards, this last amazing night on the circuit was brought to a close by a thrilling light and sound show.
The final day of this eighth WDW saw thousands of Ducatisti and their bikes once again flood into the paddock of the “Marco Simoncelli” Misano World Circuit, all eager to enjoy their last day before heading home in the comforting knowledge that they’ll all be back together again in two years’ time for WDW2016.
As expected, the Scrambler area was a huge success, arousing considerable interest. This gave enthusiasts attending WDW2014 an exclusive opportunity to enjoy a world premiere of the long-awaited Scrambler Ducati. This latest Ducati motorcycle, expected to arrive in stores early in 2015, attracted an uninterrupted procession of onlookers, with some Ducatisti waiting hours under the scorching sun to enter the famous “yellow container” and get a sneak preview (with a strictly no-photos, no-filming protocol) of the prototype.
Yet WDW2014 was much, much more. In addition to numerous events, the paddock area of the “Marco Simoncelli” World Misano Circuit also hosted the Superbike Celebration, a display of the bikes that have made Ducati history in the World Superbike Championship. There were stuntman shows, riding courses, a chance to road test the new Monster 821, autograph sessions with Ducati Corse champions (past and present) plus on-track tests with the fantastic Audi R8 V10 and the new Lamborghini Huracán, not to mention a lot of partying for everyone.
Yet the eighth edition of World Ducati Week was essentially a peaceful, vibrantly coloured “invasion” of both the “Marco Simoncelli” Misano World Circuit and the entire Romagnola Riviera, with the desmodromic roar of countless Ducati motorcycles providing the soundtrack to an exceptional international event.
Luigi dall’Igna (Managing Director, Ducati Corse) – “Attending my first World Ducati Week was a great thrill. The genuine affection of the Ducatisti showed just how powerful the Ducati brand is, because what I saw in Misano was quite unique, something only the motorcycle manufacturers from Borgo Panigale could possibly achieve. I knew there would be plenty of human warmth from the public but I never thought there’d be this much. It made me realise that we absolutely have to get back into the business of winning, for them too, to honour the brand they love so much. We’ll give it everything we can”
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) – “I’d heard so much about WDW, from the papers, from friends who’d been to it in the past, and I thought I had a pretty good idea of what to expect when I finally took part in it this year. Yet until you’re here, in the midst of this sea of Ducatisti, you simply can’t understand what it’s all about. I just didn’t expect to see so many people, so much passion. The walkabout through the crowds was great and does us good, especially as we’re going through such a tough time, and feeling all that supportive passion for Ducati really encourages us to go the extra mile. The entire team is doing everything possible, as are the boys in Borgo Panigale, and after WDW I’m certain we’ll do even more, thanks to the encouragement and affection we’ve received from thousands of Ducatisti these last few days”.
Cal Crutchlow (Ducati Team) – “Coming to WDW was a breathtaking experience. I’m just sorry I couldn’t experience it in full because of the operations on my forearms: I’d have loved to compete in the Drag Race by Tudor. I’ll definitely be putting my name down for the next edition though. World Ducati Week is something truly exceptional. Back in the UK I’d heard loads about it and I was really eager to come to Misano. Seen from above, the paddock is just a sea of red, the same Ducati Red that flows in the veins of all those Ducatisti. Even as a professional rider, I’ve never seen anything like it. The sheer enthusiasm of those who came to Misano is something unique and it has made me see just how special Ducati really is”.
Andrea Iannone (Ducati Pramac Racing) – “This was my first time here at WDW. I have to say, it’s an absolutely extraordinary event. Seeing all these enthusiasts and fervent Ducatisti just makes me want to stay with Ducati more than ever: it’s so clearly a world-class motorcycle brand with truly passionate fans all over the world. Receiving such a warm welcome from the crowds makes me proud to be a Ducati rider and that’s why I’d just love to continue racing with them all the way to the end of my career”.
Davide Giugliano (Ducati Superbike Team) – “This wasn’t my first WDW as I was here in 2012. While being at the last edition was fantastic it has to be said that returning as an official Ducati rider is an even bigger thrill. WDW is an incredible event that brings together countless motorcycling enthusiasts, especially, of course, Ducatisti. Here, professional riders and road riders are united by the same passion, a real love for the motorcycles made in Borgo Panigale, and that’s what makes World Ducati Week so incredible”.
Chaz Davies (Ducati Superbike Team) – “This was my first World Ducati Week and I found it phenomenal. I never thought I’d see so many Ducati motorcycles all in one place! The Friday evening parade was a wonderful surprise. I thought it was reserved for us riders and Ducati managers, but when I saw that long line of bikes enter the track I was blown away. It turned out to be just one of many thrilling moments during these three days at WDW and I hope to repeat the experience at the next edition”.
