Ducati Desmosedici GP18 2018 — Specifications

The Desmosedici GP18 was presented on Monday, January 15, 2018, in Borgo Panigale, Italy.

Renowned as the most powerful bike on the grid (it holds the speed record in racing, 354.9 km/h, set in 2016 by Andrea Iannone), the Ducati is also recognized for its challenging approach. Many riders have struggled with it, and 2017 did not spare the newly recruited Jorge Lorenzo, who finished the year in 7th place overall with 3 podiums to his credit.

But beyond this disappointment at €12.5 million (sic!), 2017 mainly saw Ducati’s resurgence and the total liberation of Andrea Dovizioso, crowned Vice World Champion with 6 victories to his name and suspense maintained until the ultimate race of the season in Valencia, where the title ultimately went to the prodigious Marc Marquez.

With such results finally validating the long renaissance of the brand after the Stoner era, we understand why this new Desmosedici GP18 is ultimately only a slight evolution of the GP17.

"When you fight for the title as we did last year, it can be easy to get lost in the development of the bike. That's why all the new features we will present on the Desmosedici GP18 will be signs of evolution, not revolution," confirmed the General Manager of Ducati Corse.

In detail, we learn that the chassis has been improved and the geometry has been slightly revised to correct the bike's behavior in mid-corner, a weakness of the bike in 2017 according to the two official riders. It is therefore for this purpose that the position of the fuel tank has been modified to improve the centralization of masses. On the engine side, a few extra horsepower are announced, which should allow riders to retain the slight advantage on the straights observed for several seasons. Finally, and it has been the spearhead of the brand for two years, aerodynamics has also been extensively studied during the winter. The 'controversial' wings of the time (but now totally democratized), are still present and still as prominent on this Ducati, which should nevertheless present several variants of these mustaches depending on the races.

For the rest, few changes. Oh yes. On the aesthetic side, we note the appearance of gray bands that blend with the historical red and white. Ultimately, what stands out most is the disappearance of the TIM sponsor, which had taken up residence on the face and flanks of the machine for many years. This partnership, which began 13 years ago, ends with the desire of the Italian telecommunications operator. And why? Apparently simply because the CEO has changed. A strange decision at a time when the team is regaining its form....