The
the 2019 Desmosedici GP19 MotoGP race bike, with the Ducati iconic
red livery, will be raced by Andrea Dovizioso
and Danilo Petrucci.
Ducati’s MotoGP new main sponsor is Phillip Morris, and it
may seem odd but the tobacco company is returning to MotoGP with
a smoking reduction campaign in form of a message on both Ducati
race bikes. Mission Winnow is the name of the campaign and
it looks actually good on the GP bikes.
The new paint scheme is not everything that has changed.
There are also some important changes made in the engine to get
more power and the aerodynamics are also improved, says Gigi
Dall’Igna from Ducati.
Press release:
The Mission Winnow Ducati team, which will compete in the
2019 MotoGP World Championship, was presented at the iconic
Cube, Philip Morris International's Research and Development
centre in the lakeside Swiss town. Riders Andrea Dovizioso and
Danilo Petrucci unveiled the brand-new Desmosedici GP19.
Claudio Domenicali, Ducati Motor Holding CEO,
added: "Racing has always been
part of Ducati's DNA. The solutions and expertise gathered on
track represent an asset that is directly tied to our product
line, and the MotoGP project is crucial for us to produce models
that are more performing, exciting and safe to ride for all our
passionate fans. Looking back at the results achieved in 2018 on
track, we can be proud because our Desmosedici GP proved to be
one of the most competitive bikes, but we cannot settle and we
want to make another, decisive step forward. I believe our
know-how and the spirit that characterizes the people of Ducati
Corse are an extra value compared with our rivals. I want to
take this occasion to thank all the partners that are supporting
us in this new challenge in MotoGP – including Audi Sport, which
starting from this season will be main sponsor – and to send my
best wishes to the whole Mission Winnow Ducati team for an
unforgettable season."
Luigi Dall’Igna, Ducati Corse General Manager:
"2018 was another important
season for us in MotoGP, one that saw us grow and improve again
– both from a technical and a sporting point of view – for the
fourth consecutive season. We were very competitive even on
tracks that have traditionally been more difficult for us, and
we achieved more victories and podiums overall compared with
2017. However, our direct competitors have also improved. We
must do better and improve more than what we have done in recent
years, bringing new ideas and evolutions to cover all the
possible areas. With Andrea and Danilo, we're confident we have
the right team to optimize the resources for the development of
the bike. Our goals must be ambitious, as always, and we want to
bring the MotoGP title back to Borgo Panigale."
Andrea Dovizioso (#04, Mission Winnow Ducati):
"2018 was a very positive year
for me. We started with a victory and, even if we had some ups
and downs, the difficulties pushed us to look in new directions
and half-way through the season we made a big step forward. I'm
very happy with the work done with the team, we fought for the
win basically throughout the second half of the championship and
I think we'll make more improvements in the next tests to begin
the season in the best possible way. The expectations are high,
I have a great feeling with both the bike and my crew, and we
can count on more experience. I'm happy to have Danilo alongside
me in the garage, we know each other well and I believe we can
fight on track but also work together to develop the package."
Danilo Petrucci (#9, Mission Winnow Ducati):
"Last season was very important
for me, my best ever in terms of points scored. Even if I barely
missed my goal to finish first among independent riders, I still
finished 2018 on an undoubtedly positive note. Racing with the
factory colours makes me really proud and I can't wait to get
started: I have a great feeling with my new crew, and the
technical level is higher than ever. As for me, I know where I
can still improve and I changed my conditioning program to make
sure I'll be in my best shape ever come the first race. I'm very
happy to pair with Andrea: not only is he a phenomenal rider,
but also a wonderful person. We've known each other for a long
time, and we started to train together with one goal: to both
have a really strong season."
Any corrections or more information on these motorcycles will be kindly appreciated.