December 08, 2003
 BOLOGNA MOTOR SHOW – DUCATI CORSE EXHIBITION
Bathed in beautiful Bologna Motor Show December sunshine, the Ducati Corse exhibition in area 48 wowed 50,000 fans with a sample of Ducati’s incredible machinery demonstrated by some of the fastest riders on the planet.

2003 World Superbike Champion Neil Hodgson and 2003 series runner-up Ruben Xaus took to the track first to demonstrate the celebration techniques that they developed by having virtually dominating the championship in the debut year of the 999.


Following hot on their heels were the official riders of the Ducati MotoGP Team, Troy Bayliss and Loris Capirossi, demonstrating exactly what you shouldn’t do with your new Multistrada! On a pair of Ducati Multistradas, they gave a stunning show of burn-outs and wheelies to entertain the fans.

Then came the sound that everyone had waited for… the Desmosedici! Ducati MotoGP Team official test rider Vittoriano Guareschi forced the hands of 50,000 people to their ears as he made two laps of deafening burn-outs. The 130 decibels of 220-plus bhp rang out around the Bologna Motor Show to the delight of the Bolognese crowd proud of the fact that this incredible machine was built entirely in the Borgo Panigale factory in Bologna.

After the powerful exhibition, Bologna Motor Show CEO Giada Michetti then awarded Team Ducati Fila rider Neil Hodgson a silver plate for his achievement in winning the 2003 World Superbike Championship. Not only had the victory been extraordinary given that it was the debut year for the 999, but on the way to winning the title he had also equalled Colin Edwards’ record for nine consecutive race wins as well as helping Ducati to its 12th Manufacturers’ title.

Ducati Corse Managing Director Claudio Domenicali then accepted an award in recognition of the incredible success of the Ducati MotoGP Team in its debut year of MotoGP. The team stunned the world with a podium finish in its very first race before going on to score a further eight, including Loris Capirossi’s first victory for the Desmosedici in Barcelona and the breaking of the outright top-speed record in Mugello of 206.5 mph.

back 

360° Tour
Visit Ruben's motorhome

360° Tour
Tour Ruben's pit garage

2003 Results

02 Mar Valencia

30 Mar Phillip Island

27 Apr Sugo

18 May Monza

01 Jun Oschersleben

15 Jun Silverstone

22 Jun Misano

13 Jul Laguna Seca

27 Jul Brands Hatch

07 Sep Assen

28 Sep Imola

19 Oct Magny-Cours

360°
A look around Ruben's 999F03