Ducati fans are nothing if not passionate. Where motorcycling is just a form of transportation to some, riding a motorcycle-and a Ducati at that-is a way of life for them. They live it. They breathe it. They are consumed by it. Since 1998, Ducati has brought fans together from all over the world to celebrate and party (mainly the latter) in all their desmodromic glory in an event appropriately titled World Ducati Week. As the name would suggest, WDW spans a Thursday through Sunday in mid-June every few years and each day is packed with plenty of activities for the Ducati faithful. From factory tours, test rides on new models, stunt shows and club racing, the event has even been known to see factory riders from both the MotoGP and World Superbike teams make appearances both on and off the track.
To celebrate World Ducati...
To celebrate World Ducati Week, 2010, all of the company's factory MotoGP and World Superbike riders (and even some factory supported riders) came out and stole the show. From l to r: Michel Fabrizio, Troy Bayliss, Noriyuki Haga, Carlos Checa, Nicky Hayden, Shane Byrne (behind Hayden), Casey Stoner and Ducati test rider, Franco Battaini.
The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down, either. Instead, the lights (of both the neon and fluorescent variety) flicker to life and stay on the entire night (not that it would really matter to the rabid party-goers, anyway). Concerts from various bands play throughout the night and the festivities just don't stop. WDW has grown in popularity as well; each year attendance numbers rise, and though the event is mainly attended by Italians, attendance numbers for fans in other countries spanning from America to Japan are steadily growing. Unfortunately, however, 2007 was the final year for WDW as the company was starting to feel the crunch of the economic meltdown. Back then, they promised it was just a "goodbye for now," hinting at a definite return...
Fans from all-over invaded...
Fans from all-over invaded Misano Adriatico in preparation for WDW.
Who knew factory racers had...
Who knew factory racers had an inner hooligan side? Here they put on a show for the fans.
Well, this is it. For 2010 seemingly everyone in Borgo Panigale has put every resource into bringing back World Ducati Week, 2010, this time held at the Misano Adriatico ciruit near the beach town of Rimini on the Italian riviera. Ducati is so thrilled about it they've even gone so far as to plaster all their promotional items with "The Red Planet Returns." They weren't kidding, either. This year's event recorded a new high in attendance figures with 60,000 people making the pilgrimage. Even more surprising, according to Ducati, Italians made up just 60 percent of that number. The rest coming from 28 nations, including Australia, Russia, India, Brazil, China, Malaysia and even Nepal and Gabon. Of course, there was an American contingent too, with SR making the trek to Misano to cover all the madness. And since an event like this has to be seen to be believed, feast your eyes on the following pages to see what WDW is all about.
Fulfilling contract duties,...
Fulfilling contract duties, Troy Bayliss resumed his role as World Superbike test rider on the developmental 2011 machine. Unofficial times had him as the fastest rider of the test by a good margin.
The Misano circuit literally...
The Misano circuit literally became a sea of red the entire weekend.
Fan activities included wheelie...
Fan activities included wheelie lessons on this roller. Hilarity ensued.
Amazing custom bikes were...
Amazing custom bikes were seen all over the paddock, but few had equally impressive riding attire.
Still a crowd favorite, Bayliss...
Still a crowd favorite, Bayliss was clearly the most popular rider in the paddock.
Ducati MotoGP riders Casey...
Ducati MotoGP riders Casey Stoner and Nicky Hayden were accessible to fans, too. Here they fill the tiny conference room as the riders explain the nuances of the Misano circuit.
On-track entertainment on...
On-track entertainment on Saturday concluded with a drag race between the factory riders, all aboard Ducati Streetfighters. Haga and Hayden advanced to the final round, with Haga narrowly hanging on for the victory.
Nobody said WDW was restricted...
Nobody said WDW was restricted to two-wheels-this crazed fan grafted an 1198 engine to the back of his go-kart!
NCR chose WDW as the perfect...
NCR chose WDW as the perfect venue to unveil its M16, based on the Desmosedici.
The paddock area contained...
The paddock area contained many stations, including this one dedicated to historic Ducatis. Nearly all of them in working condition.
The M16 is decked out in carbon...
The M16 is decked out in carbon fiber, including a custom carbon fiber swingarm.
At 67 years young, Paul Smart...
At 67 years young, Paul Smart relived the past by taking a Ducati 750 for some parade laps.
Nicky Hayden gets swarmed...
Nicky Hayden gets swarmed by fans desperate for an autograph.
Track action wasn't limited...
Track action wasn't limited to race bikes, either-stunt riders wowed the fans aboard Hypermotards, Monsters and Streetfighters.
Festivities carried on well...
Festivities carried on well into the night with concerts on the main stage.
Herman Jolink pilots his 1198-powered...
Herman Jolink pilots his 1198-powered dragster down Misano's front straight.
From the wild to the classic,...
From the wild to the classic, almost every Ducati ever made was in attendance. Not coincidentally, the Ducati Indiana was nowhere to be found...