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World Ducati Week officially got underway this morning in Misano, and Claudio Domenicali held a press conference to talk to the media about the event and what it represents for the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. After the stop due to Covid, entering the Marco Simoncelli paddock and finding it full of red bikes was exciting, with Ducati fans from all over the world sharing their passion for the 'Reds'.
"I am grateful to see so many of you here - said Domenicali - it hasn't happened for a long time, and it is exciting. We are here to celebrate our community, the world of the Ducati fans. So, everything we do here is for them. When we wake up in the morning, we know we have a different mission from just selling motorcycles. We want to create emotions, entertainment and not just sell a product. Events, races, everything is important to us from this point of view. The riders race on the track and enthusiasts can watch them, but from a distance. Here, on the other hand, they are within reach for everyone, because the emotion must be experienced first-hand ".
An event that from the very first hours is proving to be a success.
"Also, this year, unfortunately, many Ducati fans will not be able to be here, like the Chinese, because Covid is still a problem. But there are many of us, there is a huge crowd, people love the idea of gathering around their passion. We are in a digital age, but we still love to be analogical. It is part of the spirit of the Ducati fans and also of ours. We are in Motor Valley, the cradle of companies such as Ferrari, Ducati, Lamborghini, Pagani. The sexiest companies in the world, as well as the most beautiful circuits like Misano and Imola. Here you can find technology, passion ".
Ducati is experiencing a golden age.
"In 2021 Ducati experienced the best year in its history, and even if this year we have difficulty in sourcing so many raw materials, we will probably do even better. The WDW is an event conceived from afar, and we also think about sustainability, for this reason we will show the MotoE bike for the first time to the public. Chaz Davies tested it here yesterday and said that it is a very fun bike, maybe even more than the SBK. I have tried it and after half a kilometre you forget that it is an electric motorcycle. Of course there is no sound, but there are many other unique things to enjoy on the bike. "
The weekend will be full of events, with the Race of Champions the icing on the cake.
"Tonight there will be the big parade, with all the Ducatis invading the streets of Riccione, to get to the party for everyone. Tomorrow there will be the Race of Champions, an event that we have invented and that makes you dream, with riders racing in many categories who compete on the track against each other on the Panigale V4s. We will see our best riders competing with each other, riders who come from different worlds, from different categories. They will qualify and then do the race, as if it were a real race. They will start from the same base, because they will all have a completely stock bike, only with the exhaust and the slick tires and that's it. Michele Pirro rode here in incredible times and then it will be nice to see the bikes painted with the same graphics that the riders use on the track in the respective categories. Tomorrow on the grid you have to look at the details, because they are beautiful and well-finished bikes. Then these bikes will be auctioned off and any Ducatista will be able to buy them. "
