World Ducati Week XI
Ducati appears to be drunk on its own Kool-Aid after what, by all reports, was a very successful return to in-person customer Meet & Greet at its 2022 World Ducati Week festival of all things red at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli near Rimini in July.
"The most beautiful World Ducati Week (WDW) of all time" was the official verdict, as an estimated 80,000 attendees ("Ducatista") came to worship at the shrine from some 84 countries in total. Apparently, the event was even bigger on the internet with over six million impressions on social media, and counting.
"The record-breaking parade of motorbikes coloured the Misano circuit, and the entire Riviera Romagnola," said Ducati's official event wrap, with Pecco Bagnaia triumphing in the Lenovo Race of Champions on the Panigale V4 S - after having also set the fastest lap in 1m35.886s.
Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO: "World Ducati Week celebrates the deepest soul of Ducati: we don't sell motorcycles, but we design experiences and emotions for our fans."
This was an 11th edition for the biennial WDW, making its return after a four-year absence, and it "brought together Ducatisti and fans of the world of two wheels for three days of passion, fun and unforgettable experiences. The main protagonists of the three days were the 235 Ducati Official Clubs present at the event, which animated the area of the International Village dedicated to them, together with all the Ducati subsidiaries".
Claudio Domenicali, Ducati CEO, is quoted as saying: "At World Ducati Week, we can experience the celebration of Ducati's deepest soul: we do not merely sell motorcycles, but we design experiences and emotions with bikes at the centre for our fans.
"We all wanted to go back to being together with the Ducatisti, and they arrived in massive numbers, as usual, from all over the world, even though we are still in the presence of travel restrictions and therefore we were not able to welcome anyone from China, for example. Once again, we were able to touch the great passion for Ducati and the desire to meet again.
"Thanks also to all of Ducati Corse, and in particular to the riders - the heroes of the WDW - who, as usual, were available and close to all the fans, and who gave us a unique show in the world like the Lenovo Race of Champions."
The Lenovo Race of Champions starred 21 Ducati riders who compete in the MotoGP, Superbike and Supersport championships, fighting it out on standard Panigale V4 S and Panigale V2 bikes, equipped only with slick tyres and racing exhausts. A unique show that only Ducati can offer its fans. Bagnaia's fastest lap was only two and a half seconds more than the time from this year's Superbike pole position at Misano. Federico Caricasulo took the victory in the Panigale V2 category.
'we don't sell motorcycles, we design experiences'
The Lenovo Race of Champions was live streamed on the Ducati website and up to nine international television stations and online streaming services broadcast the race live. In Italy it was broadcast on the Sky Sport MotoGP channel with the commentary of Guido Meda and Mauro Sanchini, with the contribution of Sandro Donato Grosso from the starting grid.
The autographed motorcycles from the Lenovo Race of Champions will be on sale online for a selection of Ducati's best and most enthusiastic customers globally, via a timed online sale.
"The parade of Ducatisti on Friday evening will remain as one of the most memorable moments of this eleventh edition of the WDW. The biggest parade ever saw a massive number of bikes that first filled the circuit and then paraded along the coast before arriving in Riccione, where the Scrambler Beach Party was held. At the head of the 'Big Red Snake' was Claudio Domenicali with MotoGP and Superbike riders".
The numbers behind WDW XI are impressive - 5,805 laps of the track covered in total; 51,000 photos and 60 hours of video footage taken by staff photographers; 84 nations represented by the participants; 235 Ducati Official Clubs present; 30 world titles won between the past and current riders who took part; 1,244 experiences lived by Ducatisti in three days on the track, off-road and on the road; 600 simulator tests on the Panigale V4 R and Panigale V2 Bayliss; 4,320 leathers tested with virtual try-on; 45 Ducati Talks spread out over five stages; 102 "mechanics graduates" participants; one wedding celebrated by Paolo Ciabatti and one wedding vow made at WDW 2022; 22 hours of music between DJ sets and live shows in the paddock and at evening events and 548 Ducati workers actively participated in the event.
