Here are the niftiest photos of the 2014 Ducati MotoGP bikes recently presented in Munich, Germany at the Audi Zentrum in Eching. The new livery was unveiled on the “pre-night” of Audi’s Annual Press Conference in Ingolstadt. The team had been previously introduced to the press in a new, original location at the Audi Forum in the very Munich Airport.
We remind you that on February 28, the limit date for announcing the type of MotoGP entry teams made, Ducati decided to participate in the Open class. This means that a different set of technical rules will apply, with Ducati beings allowed to use 12 engines instead of only 5, and being able to load 24 liters of fuel as opposed to only 20 for factory option bikes.
At the same time, testing and engine development are not restricted for Open entries, as the teams can arrange tests how many times they want, on any circuit, with the only rule being that no testing is allowed on a specific circuit less than two weeks prior to that track hosting a MotoGP round.
Still, the FIM and Dorna have yielded to the complaints coming from the other Open class teams and it looks like Ducati will in fact race as a Factory 2-class team. The differences from the Open regulations are that Ducati’s engine allocation drops to 9 and the fuel limit to 22.5 liters in case the team wins a race, 2 second positions or scores 3 third placements. A combination of these is most likely expected to be concocted soon.
Until things with this new class clear out, we can only wish the best of luck to Cal Crutchlow in his first year with Ducati, and to his team mate Andrea Dovizioso, riding as a contracted rider for Borgo Panigale for the second consecutive season.
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