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Fast MotoGP News: Ducati Does 359km/h at Mugello, Rossi Honors Marco Simoncelli

Cool news arrives from Ducati after the outing at Mugello, where the team tested a new chassis for the new engine, which will debut this weekend: the Desmosedici reached a top speed of 359 km/h (223.1 mph), thanks to the extra horsepower the Ducati engineers managed to squeeze out from it.
Andrea Dovizioso 5 photos
Photo: motogp.com
Valentino Rossi #thisisforSIC58Valentino Rossi #thisisforSIC58Andrea DoviziosoMarco Simoncelli becomes a MotoGP Legend
The former top speed on the Mugello asphalt dates back from 2009, when Dani Pedrosa was clocked at 349.2 km/h (217 mph). With the longest straight at Mugello being a 1.141 m / 0.709 miles strip, the extra top speed could help the Ducati riders make up for the time they lose around the track. And with the addition of the bigger, 340mm carbon front brake discs providing extra stopping power, we might assume that Borgo Panigale riders could brake a little later ahead of the San Donato right-hander at the end of the straight.

All the Ducati riders have noticed the power increase and know that it will help them both at Mugello and upcoming round in Barcelona, which are two of the fastest circuits in the calendar. However, both Dovizioso and Crutchlow know that this is only a minor improvement for their bikes. They both say that the new chassis and engine combination is indeed better than what they used to have earlier this year, but the bikes are far from being a serious threat to Honda and Yamaha. “We know this is not enough and that we really need a new bike, but that moment is still far ahead,” says a very sincere, yet somehow content Dovi.

On the other hand, we’ve seen Valentino Rossi wearing a special badge on his leathers reading #thisisforSIC58, honoring his late friend and fellow-racer Marco Simoncelli, who was killed in a crash during the Malaysian GP on 23 October, 2011. In a special ceremony which will be held later today, Marco “Super Sic” Simoncelli will be appointed a MotoGP Legend and inducted into the MotoGP Hall of Fame. Former racing star and actual MotoGP Safety officer Loris Capirossi will also ride Sic’s number 58 Honda for a lap of Honor on Sunday.
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