WDW, or World Ducati Week, is the epicentre of the Ducati universe, established in 1998 and typically taking place every other year. As with many historic events, it had humble beginnings. The inaugural event drew just 6,000 people, but the concept proved popular and attendance soared rapidly. WDW is more than a rally; it's a pilgrimage for motor enthusiasts. The paddock is a who's who of Ducati, from riders to executives, all coming together for a weekend dedicated to the pure joy of motorcycling, centred around the iconic Ducati brand but open to all.
By the fourth edition in 2004, 45,000 Ducatisti were already at the gates of the current Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli. Today, 20 years later, the number has doubled with over 94,000 motorcyclists from 86 countries, making it comparable to a MotoGP round.
How the formula has evolved
The formula has evolved dramatically over the years. In its early days, it was a week-long extravaganza dedicated to promoting the Ducati brand, with a focus on demo rides, track sessions, DRE (Ducati Riding Experience), and local tours. In time, the event evolved into a three-day extravaganza, encompassing a broader spectrum of activities, from heritage exhibits showcasing historical models, to Garage Contests featuring custom Ducati builds, thrilling stunt shows, and exploring the beautiful Romagna region. Following that, the spotlight shifted to the riders. Who, not content with mere track performances, initially challenged each other in drag races down the pit straight, astride their Diavel motorcycles. In recent times, this rivalry has evolved into bona fide Grand Prix races, providing an even more exhilarating experience.
This year, the event was marked by three extraordinary highlights: the presence of all Ducati riders, both current and former MotoGP and Superbike champions; the 30th anniversary celebration of the iconic 916; and the world première of its cutting-edge successor, the all-new Panigale V4.
The Panigale V4
The all-new seventh-generation Ducati Panigale was the highlight of the Lenovo Race of Champions, a thrilling competition featuring today's top riders who collectively boasted 20 world titles. A twofold spectacle, as in addition to seeing top riders compete on identical bikes, which always excites the crowd, these bikes were perfectly replicated with the official liveries of the motorcycles used in the World Championships. The event within the event was the Panigale, which, despite its differences from the MotoGP bike, shared its striking aerodynamic design featuring front winglets. Coupled with the stunning colour schemes, it was virtually impossible to distinguish them from the real World Championship machines. The race was intended as a secondary event, but the riders' innate competitiveness took over, transforming it into a full-blown Grand Prix filled with colourful battles and thrilling action.
Every rider pushed themselves to the limit. The most decorated riders were determined not to be outpaced, while the others were eager to seize the opportunity to demonstrate their skills on a level playing field. Pecco Bagnaia emerged victorious, solidifying his position as the top rider in a race where all riders were on an equal footing. Andrea Iannone and Marc Marquez completed the podium.
Record times with production motorcycles
The riders' ability to set impressive lap times on a completely unfamiliar motorcycle was truly remarkable. Bagnaia's fastest lap (1:35.4) was a mere 3.2 seconds away from his own MotoGP race lap record (1:31.8), a remarkable achievement considering the circumstances. Born from a collaborative effort between Ducati Corse, MotoGP, and Superbike, the new Panigale represents a significant achievement in engineering. The new Panigales, equipped with racing-spec components and Pirelli Diablo Superbike tyres, offered an exceptional package, as demonstrated by their outstanding performance.
The 15 extraordinary, racing-configured motorcycles, each a unique piece, were made available for purchase on-line to a select group of enthusiasts. They were all sold in a matter of hours.
The 916 celebration
The 916, along with its iconic successors the 996 and 998, has always been an extraordinary motorcycle. At the WDW, these bikes once again showcased their ability to excite riders. For the occasion, Ducati prepared three special events. The first is a museum featuring production motorcycles, including the ground-breaking prototype developed by Tamburini, and the championship-winning Superbikes of Carl Fogarty, Troy Corser and Troy Bayliss. The second is a large parking area dedicated to motorcyclists who arrived at the WDW on their own 916s. It quickly filled up with bikes from various countries. The third is a special track event reserved solely for 916 riders. The day culminated in a spectacular parade lap around the track featuring every 916 in attendance at the WDW, led by two of the greatest Superbike riders of all time: Troy Bayliss and Carl Fogarty.
The Ducati world
Completing the exciting programme were numerous other activities, including test rides on both road and track motorcycles, with opportunities to experience high-performance Audi and Lamborghini models; riding courses to improve skills; informative Ducati technical talks; and thrilling stunt shows. The WDW is an all-encompassing event that delves into the various facets of the Ducati universe, featuring dedicated spaces for activities and exhibits related to the Adrenaline & Fun, Travel & Adventure, and Lifestyle ranges.
A world that is continually expanding, with Ducati's new entry into motocross marking an exciting new chapter. A highlight of the event was the opportunity to see the prototype Desmo450 MX, a race bike fine-tuned with the expertise of 9-time World Champion Tony Cairoli and 8-time Italian Champion Alessandro Lupino.
