World Ducati Week 2014 draws over 65,000 aficionados, some from India

The eighth edition of World Ducati Week (WDW), the international, bi-annual Ducati gathering that attracts countless enthusiasts from the global Ducati community, drew over 65,000 Ducati aficionados. There were also 240 journalists (130 Italian and 110 foreign).

Held from July 18-20, at the ‘Marco Simoncelli’ Misano World Circuit, the event saw participants arrived from five continents and 56 different countries.

What is of note is that while 60 percent of attendees at WDW2014 were Italian, the other 40 percent confirm the Italian superbike manufacturer’s global appeal. Some ‘Ducatisti’ had made their way to the venue from the USA, Europe, Australia, Russia and India, some from as far away as Brazil, China and Malaysia and others, from Gabon, Iceland and Nepal.

Saturday, July 19 drew in the biggest crowds. In addition to the wide variety of events, the highlight of the day was the final showdown of the Diavel Drag Race by Tudor which saw Ducati Corse riders (MotoGP and SBK) battle it out on the starting straight of the Marco Simoncelli Misano World Circuit on powerful Ducati Diavel Carbon bikes. Victory was claimed by Regis Laconi (former official Ducati SBK rider), with Matteo Baiocco (current Ducati SBK test rider) the runner-up. Third place went to Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), fourth to Michele Pirro (test rider for Ducati Team in MotoGP). It was an exhilarating competition, placing pros of the highest calibre, past and present, head to head: Troy Bayliss, Carlos Checa, Andrea Iannone, Yonny Hernandez, Davide Giugliano and Chaz Davies together with ‘King’ Carl Fogarty and Pierfrancesco Chili.

Immediately after the race, in front of a crowd estimated to be over 10,000 strong, all the riders, plus key management – led by Ducati Motor Holding CEO, Claudio Domenicali, and Audi CEO, Rupert Stadler – saluted the public in an impressive ride-past. Afterwards, this last amazing night on the circuit was brought to a close by a thrilling light and sound show.

The final day of this eighth WDW saw thousands of Ducatisti and their bikes once again flood into the paddock of the circuit, all eager to enjoy their last day before heading home.