World Ducati Week 2022: numerous fans on parade in Misano, Bagnaia wins the Lenovo Race of Champions

A large snake made up of many Ducati in parade on the track of Misano World Circuit "Marco Simoncelli" characterized the first day of World Ducati Week 2022. An edition that will also be remembered for the passion felt during it Lenovo Race of Champions with 21 Ducati riders on track. Francesco Bagnaia won the comparison, after also scoring pole position. A party within the party, which continued throughout the weekend with other moments enriched by the music of well-known artists, in addition to the scheduled test rides.

The meeting between hundreds of enthusiasts

Several local events were scheduled for the edition, although the fulcrum of the WDW remained the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” where enthusiasts met the drivers, saw historic examples and even had the opportunity to participate in the “WDW MotoX2 Experience” with an exceptional driver, Pecco Bagnaia, who wanted to give a gift to his fans by joining Franco Battaini in driving the two-seater.

For the success of the event, the collaboration with the local institutions, the Riccione-Misano intermunicipal police, the Cattolica police and the traffic police, as well as with the Carabinieri, assisted by the service offered by the municipalities of Riccione, Misano Adriatico and Cattolica for respecting public order.

Many enthusiasts participated in the talks and savored the various experiences of the WDW, testing their specimens in the many track sessions between Strattilino, Quercia, Tramonto and Curvone; or by climbing on Ducati Panigale V4 made available by the manufacturer, having the set-up of the respective bikes checked by Ducati technicians, or even taking a lap on the track on Lamborghinis and Audis driven by professional riders.

Among the areas that have attracted a certain interest are alsoAdventure area, adjacent to the circuit and dedicated to off-road enthusiasts, where Danilo Petrucci and Jack Miller were also protagonists who performed on the dirt road. In this area, specimens of Ducati DesertX, Scrambler® Desert Sled e Multistrada V4. On this occasion, enthusiasts were also able to admire the Audi RS Q e-tron of the Paris Dakar and the DesertX with a livery that recalls that of Audi.

As mentioned, there were also moments of musical fun, such as the evening at Samsara Beach in Riccione for a party animated by the music of the well-known DJ Benny Benassi, or the DJ set of the equally well-known Meduza on Saturday's event.

Among the most intense moments we also remember the Lenovo Race of Champions, a comparison on the asphalt of the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” between various Ducati riders involved in the MotoGP, Superbike and Supersport series.

Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) dominated every phase of the race, already leading after the free practice session ahead of Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), another protagonist of the event, in turn ahead of the expert Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team). Bagnaia prevailed again in the only official timed practice session and took pole position with a time of 1:36.086, still ahead of Bezzecchi (just 77 thousandths ahead) and Pirro (465 thousandths behind).

After taking the lead after the start of the race, Bagnaia astride the Panigale V4 S driven on the occasion and remained always in front during the 8 scheduled laps, also setting the fastest lap (1:35.886). Also on the podium were Mooney VR46 Racing Team drivers Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi, second and third respectively.
Together with the 15 riders who raced on Ducati Panigale V4 S, there was also a comparison between those riding the 5 Panigale V2s involved in the competition. In the V2 category, the Italian driver Federico Caricasulo (Althea Racing) won, preceding Nicholas Spinelli (Barni Spark Racing Team), and the Austrian Maximilian Kofler (CM Racing).

Photos: Ducati