Motorcycle specifications DucatiDesmosedici GP19 2019 Always ahead of the high-tech game

The Desmosedici GP19 was unveiled on Friday, January 18, 2019 in Neufchâtel, Switzerland.

Why Neufchâtel? Quite simply because it's home to one of the major European production sites of the team's main historical sponsor, Philip Morris. And this year, the American cigarette manufacturer, forced into discretion by the ban on tobacco advertising, intends to get out of the shadows with a little pirouette. Presenting the new prototype at home is part of this desire for greater visibility. But the tobacco giant isn't stopping there: its new "WINNOW" sponsorship slogan, which appeared on Ferrari's Formula 1 cars (a contraction of Win and Now), is taking pride of place on the fairings of the official GP19s. In a nutshell.
Win now is the objective of this Desmosedici, which has once again become one of the most competitive bikes on the grid.

While little has been said about the technical evolutions of the bombina's new livery, the main impact is visual, with a much more 'sanguine' color scheme. And the design is as assertive as ever.
Gone are the white and grey that mingled with a matte orange-red. This GP19 goes over to the bloody side of the force with a bright, shiny red. It's a bloody coat of paint, with a host of sponsor logos and a visual overload in stark contrast to the old Ducat. And in the midst of all the hullabaloo, a distinctive logo has (almost) completely disappeared. But if we looked hard enough, we finally found it. There, well hidden on the top of the tank, is the little Ducati logo, a reminder of the proto's identity. Surprising on a machine that's supposed to be the brand's showcase. But what's even more disturbing is the appearance of the Audi Sport logo (Ducati's owner), which is far more visible than the two Italian stickers.

Let's get down to business.
The Desmosedici has always had a reputation for being brutal, difficult to get to grips with, and even downright inextricable for those unable to familiarize themselves with "Italian-style" riding. But over the last 2 years, the bike that best represents the "laboratory" side of MotoGP, with its various technical solutions, has become more homogeneous and therefore more competitive. Gone are the days of one-off bursts on the only circuits where the power of the V4 can be unleashed. Today, the Transalpine is capable of fighting for victory on almost any track on the calendar.
But don't worry. The Desmosedici may have become 'easier', but its boiling-hot 90°, 16-valve V4 (estimated at between 250 and 300 hp) has retained all its fiery temperament, enabling it to regularly outperform the competition in a straight line and on the radar.

Spurred on by Luigi Dall'Igna "Geo Trouvetou", the 2017 and 2018 World Championship runner-up is no slouch when it comes to technological demonstrations. Validated or abandoned, these test balloons always attract the spotlight (it's good for the image) and sometimes covetousness. The most blatant example is that of the fins that appeared on the Desmo in 2016. Initially taken aback, the competition criticized these unsightly apendices (safety obliges), forcing the organizer to legislate on the subject...before finally plagiarizing this idea, which actually brings stability to braking and gains in acceleration. That's the Ducati Corse spirit.
For 2019, we're continuing with this avant-garde vision, with several solutions emerging from pre-season testing. These include a swingarm-mounted dipper to help the rear wheel stick to the tarmac under braking, or a handlebar-operated lever that could act on the rear shock absorber to limit wheelies during starts. But the most talked-about subject is the famous black box under the seat, which has long remained a mystery. Through investigation and analysis of crash images, the accepted (but unconfirmed) version remains that of a "mass damper", a sort of vibration damper limiting dribbling.

But when it comes to tinkering, a new point in the regulations could pose problems for this Desmocedici: this year, just as the ECU (Engine Control Unit) has for several seasons, the inertial measurement unit (IMU) will be unique and imposed on all teams. However, as there's no smoke without fire, it is rumoured that this decision is due to the fact that Ducati, taking advantage of areas of vagueness in the regulations, managed to program its own IMU to influence the official ECU. Ducati Team test rider Michelle Piro described this unique IMU as "a regressive factor for Ducati". A real thorn in the side, or a trivial detail? Time will soon tell whether the Italian manufacturer will be patient with this decision.

As for the riders, the Official Team is counting on its best current representative, Andrea Dovizioso, and his status as two-time reigning World Championship runner-up. This year, DesmoDovi is aiming to take the next step and win his first premier class title. Alongside him will be a brand-new team-mate. Jorge Lorenzo, who has moved on to other things at Honda, has been replaced by local rider Danilo Petrucci. A Ducati satellite rider since 2015, Petruxx has finally achieved the official rider status he has long coveted, and a 100% Italian team enters the 2019 season with the firm intention of fighting for overall victory.

• Transmission: Seamless DST_EVO gearbox, chain final drive
• Fuel system: Indirect electronic fuel injection with four throttle bodies and injectors above and below the throttle valves. Levers operated by EVO 2 TCF (Throttle Control & Feedback) system

Performance

• Maximum power: > 250 hp
• Top speed: > 350 km/h

Cycle parts

• Frame: Double-spar aluminum alloy
• Front suspension: Öhlins 48 mm upside-down forks
• Rear suspension: Öhlins Factory Evolution shock absorber
• Dry weight: 157 kg

Mission Winnow (new official team name)