CMS has once again teamed up with the Kawasaki Racing Team, announcing a Sportive and Title Race Partnership for both the 2023 and 2024 WorldSBK seasons.

Kawasaki riders can now take a step closer to the WorldSBK paddock with the announcement of a new, updated motorcycle floor mat.

Ducati closes a year full of successes posting record figures for sales, revenue and operating profit that add to the exceptional triumphs achieved by Ducati in the racing world, which has seen the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer win all titles in MotoGP and WorldSBK.

For the first time in its history, Ducati's revenue overcame 1 billion euros figure (1,089 million euros), marking an increase of 24 percent over 2021 (878 million euros), thanks to an attractive product portfolio that resulted in higher volumes in sales. Operating profit is also remarkable with a record 109 million euros, corresponding to a massive growth of 77 percent compared to 2021 (61 million euros). As a result, the profitability level also increased reaching a double-digit margin of 10 percent.

2022 was also exceptional in terms of commercial results. Ducati closed the year with a record of 61,562 motorcycles delivered to enthusiasts around the world, scoring a 3.6 percent growth over 2021.

Claudio Domenicali, CEO Ducati: “For the first time in our history, we passed the 60,000-bikes mark and we overtook 1 billion euros in revenue. This establishes 2022 as the best year ever for Ducati in several aspects, starting from the great sales and financial performance to the successes in MotoGP and WorldSBK. We are on a positive trend that in the last years has seen Ducati grow and establish itself as an increasingly solid company. As a brand that is an expression of Made in Italy, innovation, design and technology, we keep our focus on delivering exciting experiences on and off motorcycles to passionate Ducatisti all over the world.”

Henning Jens, CFO Ducati: “I am glad that for the second year in a row we are able to announce a record financial performance and a growth in the profitability level for Ducati. Reaching such results despite the supply chain disruption that has heavily affected the automotive sector during the course of 2022 is a remarkable achievement of the whole Ducati Group. We were also able to pursue the self-financed investments plan in R&D, infrastructures and digitalization that was in our agenda for 2022.”

The Sales network continued to grow over the past year, getting closer to Ducatisti around the world. At the end of 2022, there are 821 Ducati dealerships, the highest number ever, which, with the addition of the new markets Brunei, Ecuador, El Salvador and Mongolia, represent Ducati in as many as 96 markets.

For 2023, Ducati has presented to the public eight new models to complete its wide range, able to offer all Ducatisti the most suitable bike to express their passion for two wheels.

Among the most awaited models there are certainly the Multistrada V4 Rally, the bike for great travelers and the new Diavel V4, the model that won the “Most Beautiful Bike of the Show” award at EICMA. Also the brand new second generation of Scrambler Ducati, which confirms the simplicity and authenticity that have always represented essential values for all Scrambler Ducati enthusiasts, and becomes more contemporary, colorful and endowed with an even more lively personality.

Starting from 2023 and until 2026, Ducati will be the sole supplier of motorcycles for the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Championship, which officially begins on May 13, 2023 at the French Grand Prix. With this project, Ducati is thoroughly studying the technologies for the future of the world of motorcycling, investing and experimenting to build expertise to be ready when battery technology should allow the creation of an exciting electric road bike with the weight, performance and range that enthusiasts expect from a Ducati.

In December 2022, Ducati opened the new “Finitura e Delibera Estetica” manufacturing that will host the last phase of the production cycle, which consists of the final dressing of the bikes carried out by Ducati with a sartorial approach and meticulous attention to detail. The new building is the result of a significant infrastructure investment completely self-financed. Investments in the headquarters’ infrastructure will continue also in the course of next years.  

Ducati has revamped the offer of the Borgo Panigale Experience by introducing new activities, methods of visits and collaborations to offer all enthusiasts ever more engaging and unforgettable experiences.

The Borgo Panigale Experience is the path created by Ducati for all those who want to experience a full immersion in the world of the red bikes from Borgo Panigale. Visitors can relive more than 90 years of history and passion inside the Ducati Museum, and observe live the birth of the motorcycles that make Ducatisti around the world dream.

A prestigious new collaboration with Lamborghini is now part of this already extensive offer. Starting from 25 March and until 7 May, enthusiasts can participate to the “Ducati Museum and Automobili Lamborghini Museum Experience”, conceived for those who want to experience first-hand the motoring talent, creative knowledge and passion of two excellences of Motor Valley that bring Made in Italy to the world.

This new experience allows guests to visit both museums in a single day, taking advantage of a reduced rate for the two tickets and a free shuttle bus service, which offers a direct and rapid transfer between the Borgo Panigale and Sant'Agata Bolognese museum complexes.

The modality will be usable only on Saturdays and Sundays for a group of maximum 15 people, with a guided tour conducted by qualified operators for both museums, in Italian and English on alternate weekends.

To access the museums at a reduced rate and use the shuttle bus service, reservations are required and can be made either on the Lamborghini website or on the dedicated page of the Ducati website, where the timetables and prices of the experience can also be consulted.

Among the other new features that enhance the offer of the Borgo Panigale Experience are the Discovery Tours with Livio Lodi, Curator of the Ducati Museum, expert and history buff, who will transfer his great knowledge and passion for the brand.

Through the new format, enthusiasts can explore the Ducati Museum by walking in the company of its own Curator, discovering stories, anecdotes, and untold moments through exciting storytelling, having an even more immersive experience in the rooms that retrace the iconic models, sporting feats, legendary riders, and technological achievements that helped build the Ducati brand.

Visits to the Ducati Museum in the company of the Curator will be held from 1 April to 7 October, one Saturday every month, for groups of up to 12 people. For each date, there is a tour in Italian and one in English. Further information on the selected days and visiting times are available on the dedicated page of the Ducati website. 

But that's not all: thanks to a partnership between Fondazione Ducati and Trenitalia Tper, those travelling on board the trains of the Emilia-Romagna regional railway company will have the opportunity to visit the Ducati Museum at a special rate. More details are available on Ducati website.

All the activities implemented by Ducati to make the Borgo Panigale Experience even more exciting and unique, enhance the journey through the brand's history and present, offering all enthusiasts a unique opportunity to touch the values of Style, Sophistication and Performance.

All details on how to visit and book are available in the section dedicated to the Borgo Panigale Experience on the Ducati website.

UK-based World Endurance team ADSS97 Kawasaki is upping the ante for 2023, announcing an exciting new rider line up of Chris Walker, Levi Day, Chris Platt and Craig Currie. All four riders will be competing on a freshly prepared Superstock spec Ninja ZX-10R. 

2023 will mark a big step forward for the ADSS97 Kawasaki team. After several seasons competing in the Endurance World Championship Superstock class, the squad are now setting their sights on success with its strongest line up to date.  

Spearheading the effort is Kawasaki legend Chris Walker, who will be returning to the competitive world of endurance racing for the first time in over two decades.  Joining him on the Ninja ZX-10R will be Australian rider Levi Day, who has enjoyed great success in the National Superstock class in the UK. Team owner and experienced rider Chris Platt completes the team, having ridden Kawasaki machinery in both the British and World Endurance Championships. Craig Currie is on hand as reserve rider for the season as well as competing on three wheels in the World Sidecar Championship and Isle of Man TT. 

The ADSS97 Kawasaki team truck will also be the K-Tech Suspension Service Centre for the entire EWC Paddock. 

Kawasaki is mounting a full-throttle approach to the 2023 sales season with a newly updated Ninja ZX-10R plus a radical tech change to the WorldSBK race and title winning Ninja ZX-10RR.

For the Ninja ZX-10R model so loved by both street riders and track day enthusiasts, many of the most recent updates remain in place with an impressive maximum power of 149.3 kW {203PS} available that is boosted to 156.8 kW {213PS} with the aid of Kawasaki’s world-famous Ram Air.

In terms of aerodynamics and WorldSBK derived technology, the ZX-10R retains its integrated winglets for increased downforce and cornering precision while the Kawasaki Racing Team developed air-cooled oil-cooler also remains in place.

An array of electronic rider aids – thanks to the integration of a Bosch IMU – cover all aspects of machine control including cornering management, S-KTRC sport traction control, launch control, integrated braking plus engine brake control and selectable power modes and an up-down quick shifter and electronic cruise control. Riders can also link their Smartphone to the colour TFT meter using Kawasaki ‘s own Rideology App. 

With an engine that includes finger follower valve actuation (tech shared with the KX450 motocross machine), the Ninja ZX-10R rider can rely on the smoothness and accuracy of electronic throttle valves while riding feedback and racer-like precision is delivered thanks to SHOWA’s BFF (Balance Free Front Fork) up front while rear suspension duties are covered by Horizontal Back-link Rear Suspension with Showa BFRC lite (Balance Free Rear Cushion).

For racers and race teams, the Ninja ZX-10RR has been a point of focus since its introduction and the big news for 2023 is the VAI or Variable Air Intake system. Fitted inside the airbox, the VAI system uses a set of movable intake funnels to alter the intake funnel height.  When the VAI funnels are raised, intake air bypasses the system for optimal high-rpm performance; when lowered, intake air passes through the taller intake funnels, for increased low-mid range performance.  Movement of the funnels is regulated by servos to maximise output at all rpm. 

As standard, the new ZX-10RR has the funnels set in a static upper position and for many riders this will be all they require. However, for racers competing in National and International Championships, the VAI system will be another welcome addition to the Ninja ZX-10RR spec that also includes Pankl precision engine parts, a higher rev limit than the standard Ninja ZX-10R and unique Marchesini wheels.

To activate the VAI feature, racing customers will require certain racing kit parts including a race-kit ECU, loom and sub-controller.  VAI is not activated as standard and is not available for those who wish to own and use a Ninja ZX-10RR on public roads.

Both the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-10RR look to 2023 with optimism, the road machine with its legendary personality and edge, while the ZX-10RR in the hands of KRT and other skilled riders seeks to make the racing top spot its own once again.