Ducati News Today

Ducati has unveiled its GP10 MotoGP racer at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy. The factory believes that they have a great chance of sticking it to the all conquering factory Yamahas this year with the new big bang engine and an improving Nicky Hayden and a healthy Casey Stoner at the controls.

Speaking at the introduction, Claudio Domencali, General Manager, expressed confidence in the season ahead.

“Faith is the key word that Ducati are using in looking ahead to 2010, in a variety of aspects,” said Domenicali. “We have a team that certainly makes us think we can approach the championship with great hope.”

The biggest change to the new 2010 racer is a switch from the screamer configuration of the previous 800cc bike to a big bang format closer to the old 990cc GP6. MotoGP is returning to a 1,000 engine format in 2012.

“We have a motor that, since the switch to 800s, utilized a screamer setup. This has permitted us to have maximum power, which was very important and was probably fundamental with the results that we’ve had in 2007, 2008 and 2009…The last 1000cc motors that we made in 2005 and 2006 used a big-bang firing order, and this gave us important rideability. We re-tested that way, first trying it on the dyno, then with Vittoriano Guareschi in his previous role as test rider and then with Nicky and Casey. We think we have a bike for 2010 with better traction, and that therefore makes it easier for us to find a good setup.”

Casey echoes the sentiment that the changes led to an improvement in rideability.

“We changed the engine configuration to try and make the bike a bit easier off the bottom end and get a bit more traction and it was a big improvement. I hope it can help us at circuits where last year we were lacking a bit of grip…” said the 2007 World Champion.

The other changes were largely related to the new engine reliability rules that allow teams to only use 6 engines in the entire 2010 season. Domencali again:

“To go 1,600 kilometres with an engine that goes over 19,000 rpm isn’t a simple assignment. All of the main parts were redesigned ? pistons, rods, crankshaft, the basics. It’s an engine with which our main objective was to minimize the loss of power to increase durability.”

Stoner and Hayden will be back on the GP10 when winter testing resumes on February 4th at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia.

Source: Motorcycle News & Superbike Planet

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