“Ducati Mona Lisa” is the name of the work of art created by the French artist Jisbar (born Jean-Baptiste Launay) which will be auctioned on Thursday 16 July in order to raise funds for the #RaceAgainstCOVID, the initiative organized by the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer in support of the rehabilitation programs that the Polyclinic of S. Orsola in Bologna has developed for patients in post Covid-19 convalescence.

The painting is part of the “Mona Lisa” series, where Jisbar reinterprets Leonardo Da Vinci's famous masterpiece in different ways through his imaginative and colourful style, which is consecrating him as one of the most interesting emerging youngsters on the pop-art scene world. In “Ducati Mona Lisa” the female figure in the centre of the picture is surrounded by visual and graphic elements that recall the history of Ducati, its models in the range and some of its most famous riders: the French artist created this work with great enthusiasm and has now made it available for free to support the #RaceAgainstCOVID initiative organized by Ducati.

“Ducati Mona Lisa”, an acrylic on canvas of 141 x 106 cm, will be put up for auction by Cambi Aste on the morning of Thursday 16 July, during auction #481 dedicated to modern and contemporary art, photography and comics, starting at 10.00 until the end of the last batch. The auction will be streamed online and offers can be placed directly from the page of the site which can be accessed via a link obtained during the registration phase.

Registrations are already open on www.cambiaste.com. The site is available in Italian, English, French and Chinese, while the auctioneer's live streaming will only be in Italian.

The proceeds from the sale of the work will be entirely donated to the Policlinico di S. Orsola in Bologna.

• The colour range of the Ducati Panigale V2 is extended with the new White Rosso livery, production from July 2020
• The purity of Star White Silk white combines with the traditional Ducati Red colouring the rims, the front air intakes and the air deflectors of the upper half-fairings
• Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia (Pramac Racing Team), riding the Panigale V2, is the protagonist of the photo-video shooting of the new livery at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 1 July 2020 – The colour range of the Panigale V2 is extended with the new White Rosso livery, which goes alongside the monochromatic Ducati Red livery with which the bike was presented last November.  

The new White Rosso livery has Star White Silk as its main colour. The predominance of white enhances the design of the Panigale V2, highlighting the lines and the purity of the geometrical shapes. At the same time the details in Ducati Red emphasize its sporty and powerful character. The Ducati Red colours the rims, the front air intakes and the deflectors of the upper half-fairings. These last two red touches ideally accompany the path of the airflows inside the motorcycle, i.e. those that feed the engine and those that pass through the radiator.  

This new livery is completed with an additional touch of sportiness thanks to the positioning on the lower half-fairings of the large Panigale V2 logo, inspired by the graphics of Ducati Corse motorcycles.  

Testimonial of the Panigale V2 and protagonist of the photo and video shooting of the new livery is the rider of the Pramac Racing Team Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. In fact, Pecco was able to enjoy a preview of the bike by testing it at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli”.  

“Since 2016, my personal motto has been #GoFree. For me it means living in a light-hearted and carefree way, having fun and giving priority to the things you love to do. I think the Panigale V2 fits well with this definition and reflects my way of being “, said Pecco Bagnaia after trying the Panigale V2. “The new livery, so white, is very beautiful and different from the usual. Despite being a street bike, it surprised me how much speed it can have when cornering. It is a fun, very stable and very sincere bike that allows you to go fast, safely, without becoming tired, while having a very strong and decisive character and personality.” 

The Panigale V2, presented less than a year ago and capable of immediately conquering an enthusiastic public, is the super-mid of the Ducati sports bikes and represents the entry model to the Panigale family. It is powered by the 955 cc Superquadro twin-cylinder engine (compliant with Euro 5 standard) and has a maximum power of 155 hp at 10,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 104 Nm at 9,000 rpm. The power of the Panigale V2 allows to have fun on the track, delivering a motorcycle in the hands of the rider that never puts you in difficulty and can always be fully exploited. The delivery of the twin-cylinder is such that more than 70% of the maximum torque is constantly available beyond 5,500 rpm, allowing to get out of the corners quickly, even the slowest ones.  

The chassis of the Panigale V2 is based on the monocoque frame and is dressed in an elegant and sporty design inspired by that of the Panigale V4. The fairing has extensive and clean surfaces that surround the mechanical components, enhancing the small size of the Superquadro twin-cylinder and creating a visually compact motorcycle.  

The “family feeling” with the other Panigale models is also underlined by the single-sided swingarm, while the compact-sized single lateral exit exhaust, with under-engine silencer, emphasizes the clean lines of the Panigale V2.  

The complete and modern electronic equipment, based on the 6-axis inertial platform, leaves no doubt about the sporting DNA of the bike. The electronic package, dedicated to active safety and vehicle dynamics control, includes the “cornering” functionality applied to the Bosch ABS, an electronic gearbox, with operation also in downshift and traction, engine braking and wheelie controls. All the controls are integrated into the three Riding Modes (Race, Sport and Street) that can be modified via the 4.3” TFT colour dashboard with graphics and interface designed to make menu navigation and setting adjustments intuitive, as well as the immediate identification of the selected Riding Mode.  

The chassis has fully-adjustable suspension with a Showa Big Piston Fork (BPF) 43 mm in diameter and a Sachs shock absorber set up to make the bike intuitive, agile and fun; in addition, the specific calibration of the hydraulic brakes makes it comfortable for road use. Pirelli Diablo Rosso Corsa II multi-compound tyres, which combine track performance with versatility on the road, also contribute to the dynamic qualities of the Panigale V2.  

The ergonomics of the semi-handlebars and the rider seat offer a non-fatiguing position on the road and an efficient one on the track, thus allowing the rider to move freely. 

The technical equipment is completed by a Sachs steering damper and by a Brembo braking system with M4.32 monobloc callipers activated by a radial brake master cylinder. The discs are 320 mm in diameter at the front with a single 245 mm disc at the rear. Braking is powerful, never excessively aggressive and always adjustable. 

 Production of the Panigale V2 in White Rosso livery from July 2020.

On Saturday 4 July, on the occasion of the anniversary of the founding of the Società Radio Brevetti Ducati, the Ducati Museum and the Fisica in Moto educational lab reopen their doors to visitors, albeit gradually. 

Until the end of September, in fact, the opening of the Ducati Museum and the educational lab will be limited to Saturday and Sunday, but some exceptional openings are already scheduled in the weeks from 3 to 9 August and from 17 to 23 August. 

For visitors who choose to discover the history of the Borgo Panigale motorcycle manufacturer, a single ticket will be available at the special price of €25 instead of €32. This ticket will include admission to the Ducati Museum and a guided tour of the Fisica in Moto lab, a truly unique opportunity to discover the laws of physics applied to the world of engines. 

In line with the safety provisions against the spread of Covid-19, access to the facilities will be allowed to a maximum of 7 people at a time and subject to reservation and purchase of the ticket on the Museum Ducati website. Tour groups are scheduled every 15 minutes from 9.00 to 17.00. 

For the entire duration of your tour within the company area, it will be necessary to always maintain the interpersonal safety distance of at least 1 metre and it is compulsory to wear the face mask. Should visitors not have one, they will be provided with it by the Museum staff.

In order to guarantee a greater availability to visitors and to avoid crowding, the maximum duration of the tour is of one hour and a half, 45 minutes at the Museum and 45 minutes at the Fisica in Moto (Physics in Motion) Lab. 

New experiences to discover the territory

You will also be able to combine the tour in the Ducati Museum and the educational lab with some new experiences that Ducati offers to allow its fans to discover the history and tradition of the area that saw the birth of the historic Bolognese brand. Proposals that can be carried out during the day or at the weekend, independently, by renting a Ducati or by mountain-bike accompanied by the certified E-xplora guides from the National MTB Academy. 

Here are the proposals prepared specifically for the reopening: 

1. Bologna by E-xplora: a short and a longer tour to visit the city centre of Bologna, its historical monuments and the Bolognese hills on Ducati Scrambler e-bikes. On both tours visitors will be accompanied by a certified E-xplora guide from the National MTB Academy. Cost of the city centre tour is €65, city centre tour + Bologna hills €85; Ducati Scrambler e-bike rental and guide included. 

2. Valley of the Reno and Savena rivers: a route to discover the ancient history of the Bolognese Apennines and their waters through two legendary roads: the “Porrettana” and the “Futa”. From the Ducati Museum, in fact, you can easily take the “Porrettana” – a road connecting Bologna and Pistoia built in the crucial years of our country, between the wars that determined the independence and the Unification of Italy. You can ride this path independently or by renting a bike at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for bike and clothing rental can be found on the Ducati web site). 

The main legs of this journey are: 

a. the Sluice in Casalecchio di Reno, a real hydraulic monument built in 1894; 

b. Villa Grifone in Sasso Marconi, home to the mausoleum of the scientist who inspired the work of Antonio Cavalieri Ducati; 

c. the Rocchetta Mattei, a castle that combines medieval and Arab-Moorish styles; 

d. the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Riola, a Catholic religious building built between 1975 and 1980 to a design by Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. 

e. Lizzano in Belvedere, located on the border with the provinces of Modena and Pistoia, at the far end of the Bolognese Apennines, whose highest peak is Corno alle Scale (1945 m) – 

f. Loiano, inside the Setta Valley and through Via Dei Mulini, for a stretch of about 40 km along which you can still admire some of the ancient watermills that only about fifty years ago were an essential element for the local economy. 

g. Pianoro, last stop before returning to Bologna. 15 kilometres from the town, in the area of the Parco Naturalistico dei Gessi and the Calanchi dell'Abbadessa (Naturalistic Park of Chalk and the Gullies of the Abbess) is the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Zena on Monte delle Formiche, an isolated mountain, reachable by car or through a footpath, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Valleys of the Idice and Zena rivers.

3. The Stradelli Guelfi. From the Middle Ages to the origins of motorcycling in Romagna, from Baracca and Taglioni, up to Cervia and Cesenatico, the origin of the Mototemporada Romagnola: the route of the so-called Stradelli Guelfi (Guelph roads) represents an intelligent alternative to reach the seaside, avoiding the summer traffic directed daily to the destinations of the Riviera Romagnola and retracing roads that tell the origins of motorcycling in the region. An authentic example of “slow ride”, the Stradelli run along the stretch of Romagna that reaches the Riviera Romagnola around Ravenna, immersed in a colourful countryside. You can ride this path independently or by renting a bike at the Ducati Factory Store (price list for bike and clothing rental can be found on the Ducati web site). 

The main legs of this journey are: 

a. Lugo di Romagna, the birthplace of Fabio Taglioni – engineer, inventor and designer who, over the course of his thirty-year career at Ducati, was the author of over a thousand projects, including the trellis frame, the “L” twin-cylinder engine and the desmodromic system – but also of Francesco Baracca, Italian air-ace and hero of the First World War whose exploits are remembered in the Baracca Museum. The symbol of Francesco Baracca, the Prancing Horse, also appears on the bikes designed by Taglioni between 1956 and 1960 and is still clearly visible on the 125 and 250 Desmo bikes on display at the Ducati Museum; 

b. Cervia, a town known not only for its seaside resorts and its sea view, but also for its historical salt works, already in operation in Roman times, which still today produce the famous “Cervia sweet salt” using artisan methods

c. Cesenatico, a seaside resort in whose historical centre you can still breathe the atmosphere of the ancient fishing village. Cesenatico also saw the birth of the “Mototemporada Romagnola”, a series of races on the city circuits of the Riviera that from 1959 to 1971 saw the participation of riders such as Agostini, Hailwood, Pasolini, Read, Spaggiari and all the most important motorcycle brands of the time. 

The #001/500 model of the Ducati Superleggera V4 – the only motorcycle in the world homologated for road use with carbon fibre frame, swingarm and rims and produced by the Italian motorcycle manufacturer in a limited run of just 500 units – has been officially delivered to its new owner, the Belgian Ducatista Filip Van Schil, who already possesses nine other Ducati bikes.

For the occasion Ducati invited Van Schil to the Borgo Panigale factory for a special tour, in which he was able to see up close the line where his motorbike was built and meet the specialized worker who made its engine. The day then continued with a visit to the company Museum, the Ducati Design Centre and the Racing Department. In addition, as with all the other Superleggera V4 owners, Filip will have an incredible opportunity to test the Panigale V4 R, which competes in the SBK World Championship, on the track at Mugello as part of the “Superbike Experience”.

“When I received the call and the official invitation to come to Borgo Panigale to collect my Superleggera V4, the #001 of 500, although I have always been a Ducatista, my legs trembled with emotion,” said Filip Van Schil. “A welcome like this, even though I was the first to call and order the bike, is something unimaginable. Receiving it directly in the company and touching the passion of the people who work in Borgo Panigale is an experience that I will always remember. Days like this are what make Ducati unique and different from all the other motorcycle manufacturers.”

It was Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, who unveiled the Superleggera V4 #001, and then handed it over to its new owner. The ceremony took place inside the Ducati Design Centre.

“Today is a special day. Experiencing on the track in the morning the incredible emotions that a Superleggera V4 can give at Mugello, and then handing over the keys of the #001/500 motorcycle to the first customer in the afternoon makes this day truly magical! Being able to meet and see the passion of our customers in person is always very exciting, and even more so is making them proud and allowing their dreams to come true,” said Claudio Domenicali. “The Superleggera V4 is the only motorcycle in the world approved for road use with a carbon fibre frame, subframe, swingarm and rims. It is a mix of mechanical engineering, technique and “made in Italy” design that amazes for its performance, style and attention to detail. I am really proud of the work done by all the technicians and engineers of Borgo Panigale, they have created an engineering masterpiece that fully embodies the fundamental values ??of our brand: Style, Sophistication, Performance and Trust. Today another star of the Ducati firmament was born, dedicated to our most passionate customers, and to collectors and connoisseurs.”

The attention that Ducati wished to reserve for the Ducatista does not stop with an invitation to the company and the delivery of a copy of the book Stile Ducati bearing the date of this unforgettable day and a special dedication from Claudio Domenicali. As will all those who have bought or will buy a Superleggera V4, Van Schil also received a sculptural reproduction of the Superleggera V4 personalized with the number of the bike it accompanies. The Superleggera V4 will be delivered to owners accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and inside a wooden crate with dedicated graphics, specially created for the transport of this masterpiece of motor engineering.

“Each one of our daily decisions is dictated by the goal of making our fans happier and prouder. I am very happy to be here with Mr. Van Schil because this ceremony testifies the passion, professionalism and attention to detail that we reserve for our customers and fans in Borgo Panigale today, as in all our dealers around the world,” said Francesco Milicia, VP Global Sales and After Sales. “Ducati dealers allow fans to get hold of our bikes, our clothing and the entire range of accessories, but also to experience a meeting place where, with competent people dedicated to them, they can share their passion and great emotions. Today's ceremony represents all of this and is a symbolic delivery for Ducati enthusiasts all over the world.”

The package that Ducati has provided for this unique project includes, in addition to what has already been mentioned, a racing kit, the possibility of customizing the Superleggera V4 leathers with air-bag and part of the “SuMisura Ducati” line and the opportunity to complete the look with a carbon helmet.

Even more incredible and exclusive is the opportunity, limited to only 30 owners of the Superleggera V4, to purchase access to the “MotoGP Experience”. For the first time, in fact, it will be possible to ride the Desmosedici GP on the circuit, followed directly by Ducati Corse technicians, making a dream come true for all fans of sports bikes and the red bikes of Borgo Panigale.

The first Superleggera V4 has come off the Borgo Panigale production line. This is the #001 of the 500 units scheduled in a limited and numbered series; the only motorcycle in the world approved for road use with a frame, swingarm and carbon fibre wheels, is finally available. A masterpiece of mechanical engineering, technique and “made in Italy” design, which sets a new benchmark in terms of performance, style and attention to detail.

The exclusivity of the materials and technical solutions adopted on the Superleggera V4 are also reflected in the maximum number of motorcycles envisaged: 500 numbered units accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. The progressive numbering of the motorcycles (XXX/500), coinciding with the chassis number, is shown on the steering head, and on the ignition key.

The first of the lucky owners of this fantastic bike has been invited to Borgo Panigale for a delivery ceremony and, in the next few days, he will personally meet Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, to receive his Superleggera V4 001/500.

The uniqueness of the Superleggera V4 project is underlined by the experiences that Ducati together with Ducati Corse have exclusively reserved for the owners of the motorcycle: the “Superbike Experience” – the possibility for all fans who purchase a Superleggera V4 to be able to try out the Panigale V4 R that takes part in the SBK World Championship on track at Mugello. Even more incredible and exclusive is the opportunity – limited to 30 owners of the Superleggera V4 – to purchase access to the “MotoGP Experience”, thus realizing the dream of every sports motorcycle enthusiast. For the first time it will be possible to ride the Desmosedici GP on the circuit, followed directly by Ducati Corse technicians. Both “Experiences” have been confirmed for 2021.

The attention that completes the purchase experience of the Superleggera V4, also includes the possibility of personalizing the Superleggera V4 leathers with air bags from the “SuMisura Ducati” line, as well as completing the look with a carbon helmet, both dedicated to this motorbike, whose colours and graphics they replicate.

Each motorcycle is equipped with a Racing kit: complete exhaust for Akrapovic racing track use in titanium; open clutch cover in carbon fibre; swingarm cover in carbon fibre with titanium “slider”; headlamp and light replacement kit; license plate holder removal kit; side stand removal kit; mirror replacement aluminium caps from billet; Ducati Data Analyzer + GPS (DDA + GPS); racing fuel cap, brake lever protection, motorcycle cover; front and rear stand and battery charger.

The bike is delivered inside a wooden crate with specially made customization for the transport of this “made in Borgo Panigale” masterpiece.

Finally, all customers receive a sculptural reproduction of the Superleggera V4 in 1:10 scale, modelled in futuristic aerodynamic shapes. A real collector's item personalized with your motorbike number.

• The RVE version is characterized by special “Graffiti” livery, a striking graphic design inspired by that of the Hypermotard 950 Concept presented in 2019 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d’Este
• A sophisticated painting process and application of the graphics guarantees a result comparable to that of an airbrushed bodywork
• The electronic package of the Hypermotard 950 RVE is enhanced with the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up and Down EVO

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 15 June 2020 – Ducati presents the new Hypermotard 950 RVE, which is part of the Borgo Panigale fun-bike family between the entry model Hypermotard 950 and the top of the range Hypermotard 950 SP.
 

The Hypermotard 950 RVE is characterized by a livery called “Graffiti” that is inspired by street art. The bike builds on the success achieved in 2019, especially on social media, by the Hypermotard 950 Concept presented at the prestigious Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este.
 

Wanting to transfer the same manufacturing quality of the concept bike from which it derives to the production motorcycle, it was necessary in the painting phases, to employ highly skilled labour, use very low thickness decals and adopt a particularly long and complex process. The result is comparable to that of an airbrushed bodywork.
 

Not only graphics, but also a standard equipment upgrade for this new version. The electronic package of the Hypermotard 950 RVE is enhanced by the Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up and Down EVO, which is added to the components already present in the standard version, namely Bosch Cornering ABS with Slide by Brake function (in setting 1), Ducati Traction Control Evo (DTC EVO) and Ducati Wheelie Control (DWC) EVO.
 

The Hypermotard 950 is the fun-bike par excellence of the Ducati range and is designed to guarantee a high level of fun and control while riding. The aggressive design of the bike, inspired by the motard look, revolves around the twin exhausts under the seat and the smaller superstructures that leave the mechanical components visible, including the trellis rear frame that communicates lightness and essentiality. Ergonomics ensure the rider maximum responsiveness in all conditions. The seat is flat, particularly tapered to ensure wide movement and allows you to touch the ground with ease.
 

The Hypermotard 950 RVE is powered by the twin-cylinder 937 cc Testastretta 11° engine, which with its 114 hp at 9,000 rpm and 9.8 kgm of torque, of which over 80% is already available at 3,000 rpm, is the perfect engine to offer maximum fun both in sports riding on the track or on roads full of curves and in everyday riding on uban stretches.
 

At the top of the Hypermotard 950 range is the Hypermotard 950 SP with racing graphics and Öhlins suspension with increased travel, Marchesini forged rims and Ducati Quick Shift (DQS) Up and Down EVO.
 

The bike will be available in Ducati dealers starting from July and will have an SRP of £11,750

The exclusive and spectacular Ducati Motorola e-Race starting at 14.00 on Saturday 16 May, will be broadcast live on the Ducati website and YouTube channel, as well as on the Motor Valley Fest Digital platform.

Two exciting virtual races involving the Ducati Team MotoGP riders Danilo Petrucci and Michele Pirro, Pecco Bagnaia of the Pramac Racing Team, the two expert pro gamers Andrea Saveri, winner of the 2019 MotoGP eSport Championship and official Ducati rider and Davide Gallina, Pramac Racing’s new official gamer for 2020. The sixth rider in the race is the motorcyclist/youtuber Andrea Pirillo.

The two races of the Ducati Motorola e-Race will be held on the two Italian circuits that are the venues for the MotoGP events: the Mugello International Circuit and the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. On the Mugello circuit, one of the most spectacular in the entire championship, it will take place over a distance of 6 laps in cloudy weather. On the Misano World Circuit, one of the main Motor Valley racetracks in the heart of the territory which has always been linked to the world of motoring and motorsport, the race will take place over 7 laps in sunny conditions. Before getting to the heart of the competition, the riders will also have to tackle a short 10-minute qualifying session to determine the starting positions for each race.

A truly spectacular event with lots of post-race interviews and a real virtual award ceremony. For the podium of the e-Race, at the end of each GP points will be awarded to the riders, which will then be added up to define the overall classification and therefore the winners. The prizes are offered by Motorola, a Lenovo Group company, an important partner of Ducati Corse in the MotoGP championship.

The virtual competition, organized in collaboration with Pro2Be Esports, will be commented by Alessandro Pietracatella, technical speaker of the Italian Esports MIC and MIR championships, and by Matteo Pittaccio, official voice of the Moto3 and Moto2 races broadcast on DAZN. At the end of the races the two pro gamers, Andrea Saveri and Davide Gallina, will stop for a Q&A session with all the fans.

An unmissable event, where the riders involved will not be holding back and where everyone will line up at the start with the aim of winning. The Ducati Motorola e-Race is just one of the events that will contribute to making this edition of the Motor Valley Fest Digital interesting.

The second edition of the Motor Valley Fest, the international event that involves the excellence of Italian two and four wheels, will take place from 14 to 17 May 2020 in a new all-digital format.

The Emilia-Romagna Motor Valley, which identifies a reality that is unique in the world for its concentration of brands, private collections, international circuits and specialist training centres in the automotive sector, will be meeting up for four days of digital events.

Ducati is playing an important role and is taking part in the many activities planned on the website www.motorvalleyfest.it and with a massive array of themed content shared on the Company's digital channels.

The Festival starts with the opening conference, scheduled for May 14 at 9.30am, which addresses important current issues, such as the impact of the Coronavirus in the world of two and four wheels and the evolution of the new scenario that is emerging for the sector. The protagonists of this digital opening session are the management of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Dallara and Maserati together with the Ducati CEO, as well as current President of the Motor Valley, Claudio Domenicali.

“Motor Valley is much more than a union of unique brands that constitute the excellence of Made in Italy in the automotive and industrial supply chain. It is the sharing of passion, skills and desire to do something special, which can inspire the dreams of many, through the creation of high-performance, technological and innovative products. Prestigious companies made up of determined and ambitious professionals but at the same time capable of enjoying life and loving beauty. Motor Valley is also universities, institutions, training and an eye to the future: young people represent tomorrow not only as enthusiasts but also as professionals in the sector. For all this, I believe that in a complex phase such as the one we are experiencing, having confirmed a series of activities planned for the Motor Valley Fest takes on even more importance,” said Claudio Domenicali, President of Motor Valley Development. “The 2020 Motor Valley Fest is entirely digital, and the future is heading in this direction. Digital is no longer just content, videos, e-games and social networks but also business, meetings and training. I am therefore confident that this edition of the Motor Valley Fest can represent an interesting opportunity for online discussions between the major international players in the automotive sector and a positive stimulus for the Italian system, Emilia-Romagna and the entire regional production sector.”

Also on Thursday 14 May from 3.40pm to 4.10pm Claudio Domenicali will be taking part in the “Racing” Round Table with Roberto Dalla (Managing Director – Media & Technology Center – Formula 1), Maurizio Crispino (Professor of the Polytechnic of Milan) and Mattia Binotto (Managing Director of Ferrari Sports Management and Team Principal).

The exclusive and spectacular Ducati Motorola e-Race, which also involves some official Ducati riders, kicks off on Saturday 16 May at 2.00pm. Among the participants confirmed are two exceptional eGamers such as Andrea Saveri, 2019 MotoGP e-Sport Champion and official Ducati Team rider and Davide Gallina, new official Ducati Pramac eGamer. At the end of the race, after the interviews and the award ceremony, the two riders will stop for a Q&A session with all the fans.

Motor Valley represents the capability of a territory to network and enhance the unique characteristics that distinguish it internationally, revolving around the motor industry and technological innovations in the automotive world. This is why the six prestigious brands of the association have also joined together for the “Engine Restart” project: the style centres of Ducati, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani, Dallara and Maserati have created for this purpose an ad hoc graphic inspired by the start button of their most high-performance and iconic cars and motorcycles, to communicate together in the Motor Valley Fest on the occasion of the restart of the automotive sector after the forced lockdown.

The successful “Innovation & Talents” format, dedicated to talented youngsters and innovation, is also scheduled for 14 and 15 May. 50 universities, over 50 start-ups and 20 companies will be presenting their projects and the youngsters will virtually meet up with the important companies in the sector. Simone di Piazza, Head of Innovation and R&D Services, will take part for Ducati with an innovation themed conference on Thursday from 3.30pm to 4.30pm.

On Sunday 17 May from 10.00am to 10.30am the Ducati Museum opens its doors for “Viaggio al Museo”, a visit in live streaming on Facebook during which viewers can ask questions in real time to the curator. Thanks to this virtual experience, the public can cross the threshold of all the rooms of the Ducati Museum, which houses exemplary production and racing models, reconstructing the story of the legendary “Rosse di Borgo Panigale” step by step.

These are just some of the many events that make up the Motor Valley Fest Digital from 14 to 17 May on the website www.motorvalleyfest.it 

You can view all the updated information and register for the various scheduled appointments on the official event portal. 

Ducati launches #raceagainstCovid, a fundraiser organised by the Borgo Panigale company in favour of the Policlinico di S.Orsola of Bologna, an excellence of the territory as well as one of the largest hospitals in Italy. In this way, Ducati wishes to contribute to the fight against Covid-19, and it does so with the approach that most distinguishes the company – that of great challenges, forming a team, sharing a goal and looking to the future.

For this reason, Ducati has rallied together its entire family – employees of the Bologna headquarters and its subsidiaries throughout the world, DOC, dealers, suppliers, partners, riders and enthusiasts – to offer concrete support to those who work every day in the front line to protect the health of citizens.

The goal is to collect, by June 2020, the necessary funds to finance instrumentation, research and staff of the Policlinico di S.Orsola of Bologna dedicated to the exclusive care of patients in post Covid-19 convalescence.

“Even on those who recover, Covid-19 often leaves a significant aftermath on organs and systems that it has attacked with its harsh action. Lungs, heart, circulatory system, kidneys, brain are the preferred targets of the virus. Impairments of lung, cardiac and renal function occur, the risk of thrombosis remains and there may also be neurological residues. To monitor these patients, treat them and follow their rehabilitation, dedicated multidisciplinary areas have been set up with cardiologists, neurologists, nephrologists, pneumologists, physiatrists and infectious disease specialists.

For these patients, even complex rehabilitation programs are proposed that require dedicated personnel and specific equipment such as, for example, telemedicine tools for remote patient control, robots for patient rehabilitation at home, ultrasound, echocardiographs, electro-stimulators of respiratory muscles and instruments that measure their strength and train them, traditional active and passive exercise bicycles (for patients with respiratory problems forced in bed)”, declared Chiara Gibertoni, General Manager of the Policlinico di S.Orsola.

Ducati has always been an active part of its territory, which is characterized internationally for the Motor Valley of ‘masterpieces’ on two and four wheels, but also for its excellent medical facilities. The Emilia-Romagna Region has become a national hub for the treatment of Covid-19. The same Ducatisti from all over the world are extremely close to this land which has always been the location for the factory where the red bikes of Borgo Panigale come from.

“Faced with a tragedy such as that caused by the Covid-19 virus, one can remain immobile, paralyzed by terror, or react quickly, precisely and in a coordinated way. Helping the health system in every possible way is a duty of every single citizen and also of the companies that are a fundamental part of the social fabric,” declared Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO. “Ducati was founded in Bologna ninety-four years ago and is therefore inextricably linked to this city. I am sure that our riders, fans and enthusiasts from all over the world will join us to give the city and the whole country a strong sign of solidarity, as well as sincere thanks for the effort and dedication that the doctors are making to combat this new and still not fully understood serious illness.”

The members of the Ducati Board started off the fundraising collection, followed by many other employees. The amount collected was then doubled by the company, reaching the amount of € 100,000, the starting point of #raceagainstCovid.

“In all these weeks of Coronavirus emergency, our regional public health service has received incredible demonstrations of support in the face of the outstanding work of doctors, nurses and operators to whom we will always be grateful,” commented the President of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Stefano Bonaccini. “A lot of affinity and many donations, from those who could give a lot and from those who could give less, but really a desire to stay united against the pandemic that still continues today. This is why Ducati's initiative is just as wonderful and important: to mobilise both its employees, a formidable team, and Ducati enthusiasts all over the world for a fundraiser that will support the post-Covid rehabilitation activity of the S.Orsola hospital in Bologna, given the important consequences that it can still have on the organs and systems attacked by the virus of those who recover. Both dedicated staff and specific equipment are needed, and Ducati is on the track for this: thanks very much to Claudio Domenicali, to the entire Borgo Panigale team and to anyone who loves the red bikes for what is already a certain victory. Thanks again.”

Ducati is set to gradually return to normal, with the steady resumption of production in its Borgo Panigale factory, scheduled to begin on Monday April 27.

In compliance with the regulatory protocol for measures to combat and contain the spread of the Covid-19 virus in the workplace, Ducati temporarily suspended production in its Bologna plant on Friday 13 March to reorganize production schedules. 

Then came the decree that suspended all non-essential activities and therefore, despite the organization being ready, production did not restart. The gradual improvement in health conditions has allowed the government today to enable companies deemed strategic for the national economy, whose activity is mainly aimed at exports, and for which a prolongation of the suspension would risk losing our country additional market shares, to resume production. This is a first phase of return, which at the moment will only involve a part of the workers destined for the production lines.

 Workshop staff will begin first, then engine assembly workers and, from Tuesday 28 April, motorcycle assembly workers. As for employees, the use of smart working will remain mandatory, only those who are not in a position to carry out their work from home will be allowed to access the factory. All resources employed in the commercial, marketing, IT, personnel management, finance, purchasing and logistics areas will therefore be working remotely. 

The production has been reorganized, going from an eight-hour shift to two seven-hour shifts to allow the minimum number of people to be inside the plant at the same time and thus minimize possible contact. The canteen will be active but with one seat for every four chairs.

The technicians engaged in Research and Development activities who cannot do their work from home were already at work as allowed by the specific ATECO code: therefore the engineers of the engine test rooms, those who carry out motorcycle tests and those who carry out laboratory testing are all present at Borgo Panigale.

All designers, project managers, and those in the calculation department will work remotely. This will ensure the deliveries of Ducati motorcycles and the development of new products.