Following all the hype regarding the presentation of Ducati’s GP12s new livery, according to Ducati’s president Gabriele Del Torchio 96,000 people ended up watching today’s live presentation on TIM’s Facebook page of the Desmosedici GP12 from the Ducati Auditorium at Borgo Panigale. With new tech regulations coming in this year, the GP12 is powered by a 90-degree, Desmodromic, 1,000cc DOHC V4 that produces 230 horsepower. With a dry weight of 157 kilos, the Desmosedici GP12 can hit a top speed of more than 330km/h.
All-new bits on the GP12 include Ducati Seamless Transmission (DST), on which we hope to get more details soon, and aluminium twin-spar chassis in place of last year’s carbonfibre monocoque frame. The bike’s Magneti Marelli electronic fuel injection operates via four throttle bodies and the throttle is operated and controlled via Ducati’s new EVO TCF (Throttle Control and Feedback) system. A 48mm inverted fork at the front and and single shock absorber at the back, both Öhlins units, handle suspension duties and are fully adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping. The Ducati GP12 rides on 16.5-inch wheels shod with Bridgestone rubber and braking duties are taken care of by twin 320mm Brembo carbon brake discs at front, with four-piston calipers, and single stainless steel disc at the back, with a two-piston caliper.
The event was hosted by Valerio Staffelli, a well know Italian satiric TV reporter and we have for you the first pics of the new and much more sobre tricolore livery on Valentino Rossi’s and Nicky Hayden’s bikes. The paint scheme closely resembles that of the Panigale S Tricolore, with green flashes joining the familiar red and white paint from previous years.
For more photographs visit the 2012 Ducati Desmosedici GP12 image gallery.
DUCATI DESMOSEDICI GP12 Technical Specifications
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 90 degree V4 four-stroke, desmodromic DOHC, four valves per cylinder
Capacity: 1,000cc
Maximum power: More than 230hp
Maximum speed: In excess of 330 km/h (205 mph)
Transmission: Ducati Seamless Transmission (DST). Chain final drive
Carburation: Indirect Magneti Marelli electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above butterfly valves
Throttles operated by EVO TCF (Throttle Control & Feedback) system
Fuel: Shell Racing V-Power
Lubricant: Shell Advance Ultra 4
Ignition: Magneti Marelli
Exhaust: Termignoni
Final Drive: D.I.D Chain
Frame: Aluminium
Suspension: Öhlins inverted 48mm fork and Öhlins shock absorber, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping
Tyres: Bridgestone 16.5″ front and rear
Brakes: Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers. Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston calliper
Dry weight: 157 kg (346 lbs.)
2012 DUCATI TEAM
Filippo Preziosi: Ducati Corse General and Technical Director
Alessandro Cicognani: MotoGP Project Director
Vittoriano Guareschi: Team Manager
Fabiano Sterlacchini: Track Technical Coordinator
Massimo Bartolini: Track Performance Advisor
Francesco Rapisarda: Ducati Motor Holding Communications Director
Federica De Zottis: MotoGP Press Manager
Chris Jonnum: MotoGP Press Officer
Paola Braiato: Administration, Logistics & Hospitality Manager
Mauro Grassilli: Sponsor Accounts
Amedeo Costa: Team Coordinator
Davide Baraldini: Warehouse and Components
Alfredo Dente: Team Physiotherapist
Valentino Rossi
Jeremy Burgess: Crew Chief
Matteo Flamigni: Track Engineer
Gabriele Conti: Electronics Engineer
Alex Briggs: Mechanic
Bernard Ansiau: Mechanic
Brent Stephens: Mechanic
Gary Coleman: Mechanic
Mark Elder: Mechanic
Roberto Brivio: Crew Coordinator
Nicky Hayden
Juan MartÃnez: Crew Chief
Roberto Bonazzi: Track Engineer
José Manuel: Cazeaux Electronics Engineer
Davide Manfredi: Chief Mechanic
Massimo Mirano: Mechanic
Pedro Calvet: Caralt Mechanic
Lorenzo Canestrari: Mechanic
Luca Romano: Mechanic
Emanuele Mazzini: Crew Coordinator
