Ducati Motor pulled off the wraps from the Ducati Panigale R which is to be raced in World Superbike by Chaz Davies and Davide Giugliano.

The team is named the Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Team and runs the Panigale with the main sponsor being Aruba.it Last season saw the Panigale finally taking a win in the hands of Chaz Davies and also second place in the championship. For 2016, Ducati wants to improve on their results, which means they need to win the championship. That is easier said than done, with Kawasaki Racing bringing in good motorcycle with two strong and hungry riders, Jonathan Rea and Tom Sykes.

Testing has shown that the Kawasakis, like last year, are still the bike to beat. But Ducati hope to raise their game to win races and eventually the Championship in 2016.

Luigi Dall’Igna, the Ducati Corse General Manager, said: “In my first two years in Ducati we have tried to improve the flow of information between MotoGP and SBK, something that allowed us to improve on both fronts. The Panigale R has undergone further developments in its suspension, electronics and engine. We were protagonists in the winter tests, something that allows us to start 2016 with one aim: to win the title.”

“Last year was full of satisfaction,” added rider Chaz Davies. “To be the first rider to win a race with the Panigale R meant a lot, not only for me but also all of Ducati and the many Ducatisti all over the world. We improved all the time and gradually achieved a package that was competitive at all circuits. This was exactly the same during the winter tests, where with the latest evolutions in suspension and electronics, we could focus on performance over the distance. I am optimistic and can’t wait to start the championship”.

Teammate Giugliano shared the optimism: “After a difficult season, we are now looking ahead with optimism. Many things have changed, both on the bike and in my team, and I’d like to thank Ducati for this opportunity. I’m starting to work well with Aligi and Paolo, my new crew chief and electronics technician. In the last test I was once again as quick as the top guys. I’m optimistic and can’t wait to go to Australia”.

Claudio Domenicali, the CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, further added: “I would like to underline a fact that is often neglected: the importance of Superbike for a manufacturer like Ducati. Racing with a production-based bike allows us to develop products that are quite simply extraordinary. The Panigale R has no rivals in the sportsbike sector. Superbike is a championship that is in the hearts of Ducati and all Ducatisti”.

“Twenty-one podiums and five wins in 2015 enabled us to finish second in both the Riders’ and Manufacturers’ championships, giving us great satisfaction. But we are not settling for that result, and we will try and go even better this year,” said Stefano Cecconi, CEO of Aruba S.p.A and the Team Principal. “We began the season on the podium and finished it by always fighting for the win. And it is from that point that we want to resume this season, with the aim of going even better this year, so it was right to not change a winning team.”

The World Superbike season starts shortly at Phillip Island, Australia in a couple of weeks. With pre-season testing held there a few days before the official races. This year a new format will be in place for the races, with the first WSBK race on Saturday, while the second will be held on Sunday along with the World Supersport race.

‘Superquadro’ Engine
TYPE 4-stroke L-twin 90°
CAPACITY 1198 cm3
BORE X STROKE 112mm x 60.8mm
TIMING SYSTEM Desmodromic, 4 valves per cylinder
COOLING SYSTEM Liquid cooled
ENGINE MANAGEMENT Electronic Ignition-injection ECU Magneti Marelli MLE
FUEL INJECTION Electronic injection system, independent motorized elliptical throttle bodies*
INJECTORS Mitsubishi SF2204, twin injectors each cylinder
EXHAUST SYSTEM Akrapovic titanium 2-1-2 with two titanium mufflers
POWER >210CV at 11500rpm at the crankshaft
MAXIMUM SPEED >315km/h
LUBRICATION Gear oil pump

CHASSIS
FRAME Aluminium monocoque
SUSPENSIONS 42 mm pressurized RSP25 upside-down Öhlins fork, single-side aluminium swingarm, with Öhlins RSP40 shock absorber
WHEELS Aluminium forged wheels 3.50×17’’ front and 6.00×17’’ rear

TRANSMISSION
GEARBOX 6 speed, straight cut gears
CLUTCH EVR wet multiplate slipper clutch with hydraulic control

BRAKES
FRONT Brembo radial P4X30-34 calipers, two Ø 336mm floating discs
REAR Radial P2X34 caliper, one 230mm Ø disc

TYRES
FRONT Pirelli slick 120/70-R17
REAR Pirelli slick 200/60-R17

OVERALL DIMENSION
LENGHT 2070mm
WIDTH 670mm
WHEELBASEE 1450mm
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 23.9 litres
DRY WEIGHT 168kg, with water and oil

*air restrictor may be removed or modified from 46mm to 52mm in diameter depending on race result and managed by the FIM regulation