Photo: motogp.com
As it was expected, Ducati’s time to come up with the final decision related to the entry class for the 2014 MotoGP championship has come to an end, as the second test at Sepang also ended. Ducati Corse decided to go for the Open option with all their 4 bikes for the 2014 season.
This means that factory riders Cal Crutchlow and Andrea Dovizioso alongside the satellite team pilots Andrea Iannone and Yonny Hernandez will all compete in the Open class, formerly known as the CRT. The MotoGP regulations stated that a final decision was to be made by the end of today, 28 February, and Ducati Corse boss Gigi Dall’Igna had already declared that the Borgo Panigale group will wait for the test results and only then make a call.
Both Open class and Factory entries use the same Magneti Marelli ECU, but the former ones have to use the Marelli software, whereas factories are allowed to write their own code. Using the Marelli software does have some perks, such as being allowed to load 4 extra liters of fuel, and can use 12 engines, as opposed to the maximum of 5 allowed for the Factory option.
With both Crutchlow and Dovizioso providing good feedback during the last two days in Sepang the decision or going Open was made official. Talking about this choice, Ducati Corse General Manager Dall’Igna told motogp.com:
“We have carefully studied the new technical regulations and have concluded that the Open option is the most interesting for Ducati, in the current situation. This year we have to keep developing our bikes throughout the season to improve our competitiveness, and the Factory option appears to be too restrictive for our needs. We are confident that the electronics package provided by Magneti Marelli and DORNA has very good quality and will allow the correct management of all the main functions of the bikes."
Both Open class and Factory entries use the same Magneti Marelli ECU, but the former ones have to use the Marelli software, whereas factories are allowed to write their own code. Using the Marelli software does have some perks, such as being allowed to load 4 extra liters of fuel, and can use 12 engines, as opposed to the maximum of 5 allowed for the Factory option.
With both Crutchlow and Dovizioso providing good feedback during the last two days in Sepang the decision or going Open was made official. Talking about this choice, Ducati Corse General Manager Dall’Igna told motogp.com:
“We have carefully studied the new technical regulations and have concluded that the Open option is the most interesting for Ducati, in the current situation. This year we have to keep developing our bikes throughout the season to improve our competitiveness, and the Factory option appears to be too restrictive for our needs. We are confident that the electronics package provided by Magneti Marelli and DORNA has very good quality and will allow the correct management of all the main functions of the bikes."
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