Ducati in World Superbike
The history of Ducati Superbikes runs parallel to WorldSBK. The 851, born as a 748 cc prototype from the mind of Massimo Bordi and Gianluigi Mengoli on the basis of Ducati engineering foundations – L-twin cylinder, desmodromic distribution, mesh frame – was the first Ducati Superbike , equipped with the new Desmoquattro four engine. valve per engine cylinder.
Capacity has been increased to 888 cc with an increase in diameter. The model changed its name in 1992, adapting to the new cube. For many enthusiasts, the 851 is the birth Ducati of the modern era: cutting-edge technology, red color and extreme performance.
In total, the 851/888 family won three drivers’ titles (1990 with Raymond Roche, 1991 and 1992 with Doug Polen) and three manufacturers’ titles: 1991, 1992 and 1993. From 1990 to 1994, it scored 78 victories and 170 podiums.
Generation 916
In October 1993, Ducati left everyone speechless with the introduction of the 916, a bike capable of tracing the “front” and “back” dividers.
The neat, agile, powerful 916, with its lines and solutions drawn by Massimo Tamburini – also known as “The Master Craftsman” – remains to this day in a synthesis of beauty and efficiency in terms of subsequent function that their descendants can perceive. Panigale.
With a completely revised chassis and highly improved Desmoquattro twin cylinders, the 916 dominated all the formulas it raced.
As the years passed, the displacement increased. In 1998, Ducati launched the 996, the name for which historic motorcycles like the 996 R first debuted in 2001, powered by the first 998 cc Testastretta engine that can still be found today. heirs in the twin cylinder models of the Ducati line.
In 2002, the 996 gave way to the 998. In the standard version, the Ducati superbike increased from 114 hp of the first 916 to 123 hp of the 998.
The Ducati 916 was the most successful Ducati SBK and from 1994 to 2003, in versions 916, 996 and 998, it won eight world titles (including four with “King” Carl Fogarty), 122 laps and has taken its riders to the podium over 311 times.
And 996 R is the model that started his career in the red shirt of Troy Bayliss, another great Ducati Superbike legend.
999 domination
999 arrived in 2003; with groundbreaking lines, an improved version of the Testastretta and a heavily modified chassis. Ducati’s superbike has abandoned the side swingarm, using overlapping headlights and under-seat exhaust integrated into a single silencer.
This is the Ducati Superbike with the highest win/season ratio: in just 5 years (the 1098 only started racing in 2008) it has racked up 63 wins and 3 world titles alongside Neil Hodgson, James Toseland and Troy Bayliss. Its riders have stepped onto the podium 163 times.
In 2008, regulations allowed twin-cylinder engines to exceed the one liter displacement limit. Ducati introduced the 1098 in November 2006, continuing many of the styling and technical elements of the 998. The horizontal split-headlights are back, and the single swingarm and under-seat splitter are back. again.
The twin cylinder increases power up to 160 hp and updated in various technical solutions derived from MotoGP bikes, especially in the thermal aspect, it has been named Testastretta Evoluzione.
The 1198 appeared in 2009, more powerful (170 hp) but above all equipped with Ducati’s first electronic traction control system. Displacement is just over 1,198 cc and with that comes the 2011 title, belonging to Spanish racer Carlos Checa.
1098 and 1198 scored 139 times to the podium between 2008 and 2012, including 52 wins.
The Panigale family
2012 saw the arrival of the Panigale family, which set new standards. With the Panigale, Ducati introduced a Superquadro 90° V-twin engine with desmodromic distribution with mixed chain/gear control, wire-driven engine management, Öhlins electronic suspension, as well as an all-aluminum frame. block with integrated air box.
Ultimately, the style continues elements of the Ducati tradition by modernizing them, and defining a line – of the Panigale family – recognized as a work of art and awarded the Compasso d’Oro in 2014.
The development of the 1299 in 2015 took the Panigale one step further, and for the 2015 model year the name of the “R” version was also changed, to become the Panigale 1199 R, to indicate how much displacement the model has racing still involves the specified limit.
At the end of 2017, the most revolutionary Panigale ever hit the market. Before the introduction of the Desmosedici Stradale V4 engine, the Ducati Panigale V4 was launched, equipped with a 90° V4 engine with a Twinpulse crankshaft sourced from MotoGP and a reverse crankshaft that produced 214 hp and 13 kgm for the ratio. The power/weight ratio is 1.1 hp/kg.
The chassis saw the introduction of the Front Frame, which continued to use the engine as a bearing unit.
For the 2020 model year, the spoiler-based aerodynamic package was first introduced by Ducati in MotoGP in 2016 and the 2021 version is further refined with electronics.
The 2022 model once again moves the performance bar upward, with a more sophisticated electronic management system, a more efficient chassis, borrowed proportions from the Panigale V4 R, and a more efficient aerodynamics package.
The Panigale family has won a total of 219 podiums during 10 years of racing, including 70 victories, but still no rider has reached the World Superbike Championship.
In 35 years of World Superbike, Ducati has recorded 383 victories and 1000 podium times.
Ducati has won 14 Superbike racer titles and 17 manufacturer titles.
Ducati World Superbike Championship racer
- 1990 – 851 Raymond Roche
- 1991 – 888 Doug Polen
- 1992 – 888 Doug Polen
- 1994-916 Carl Fogarty
- 1995-916 Carl Fogarty
- 1996-916 Troy Corser
- 1998-916 Carl Fogarty
- 1999 – 996 Carl Fogarty
- 2001 – 996R Troy Bayliss
- 2003 – 999F03 Neil Hodgson
- 2004 – 999F04 James Toseland
- 2006 – 999F06 Troy Bayliss
- 2008 – 1098 F08 Troy Bayliss
- 2011 – 1198 F11 Carlos Checa
