Earlier this week MotoGP.com released a sneak preview of the sneak preview of a video that was shot earlier this month at Ducati’s headquarters.  Today, they released the final version of the clip which features interviews by long time Rossi crew members Jeremy Burgess and Alex Briggs.  Filippo Preziosi also touches on what they’ve done for this bike while we also get a glimpse of Ducati’s design studio.

You don’t need a MotoGP.com subscription to view this clip, it’s a freebie.

Tell us what you think.

Posted in: Racing

CRASH.NET: “‘Valentino is saying and doing everything to belittle what was done by myself, my team, and Honda last year” – Stoner the Moaner.

Casey Stoner has shown on the track why he is a rider deserving of two World Championships at the top level. In this interview he also shows he has a reservoir of resentment toward the other riders, the fans and the media that repeated victory apparently can’t salve or solve.

As long as Honda has a superior bike, he’s the second coming of Mick Doohan.  But if Yamaha (or Ducati… like that will happen) pull a bike out of the bag that is as much better than the competition as the last generation 800cc RCV212, he’ll likely beat himself. Another round of lactose intolerance, or just a season-long tantrum?

Just another reason to root for Ben, IMO.

Posted in: Racing

Austerity measures recently passed in Italy have deeply angered truck drivers due to the steep increase in fuel prices.  It’s been brewing for a few days and what started out as a fairly localized protest in Sicily has now spread to the mainland.  Truck drivers are said to be blocking traffic on highways near Milan as well as Naples.  Since much of Italy’s goods transportation is done via cargo trucks, shipment delays are to be expected into and out of the country.

Further complicating the issue are taxi cab drivers protesting the availability of sufficient licenses for their industry.  This has caused major delays in getting travelers to and from train stations as well as airports.  Hopefully team Ducati and all the other racers choosing to spend their winters in country will be able to get out in time to get to Sepang.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-01-26/italy-braces-for-strikes-as-monti-presents-growth-plan-to-europe.html

http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-23/business/30656418_1_taxi-drivers-truck-drivers-austerity

Posted in: General Motorcycling