Bikes

MotoGP: The 2016 Ducati Desmosedici GP

Image gallery and video from the new bike's unveiling

February 24, 2016

Ducati officially unveiled its 2016 MotoGP bike, called the Desmosedici GP this year rather than what would be the traditional GP16 name. The new bike will be ridden by Italians Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone in the factory team. Below are images of the bike from the introduction.

The Desmosedici GP is powered by a 90-degree four-cylinder engine, with four valves per cylinder operated by Ducati's Evo Desmodromic system. Displacement is listed as 1000cc, maximum power as "over 245 hp" and maximum speed as "over 211 mph."Courtesy of Ducati

As with all MotoGP competitors, Ducati uses the spec Magneti Marelli ECU programmed with Dorna's Unified Software. The bike's EFI includes injectors above and below the throttle butterfly valves, which are operated by Ducati's EVO 2 TCF (Throttle Control & Feedback) system.Courtesy of Ducati

Suspension is by Ohlins with a 48mm inverted fork, while the braking system consists of twin 320 or 340mm carbon discs (different diameter discs are used at various tracks) with Brembo four-piston calipers up front and a single, stainless steel rear disc with two-piston Brembo caliper. Dry weight is listed as 157 kg (346.1 lb), which is the minimum allowable weight for this year.Courtesy of Ducati

The Desmosedici GP has two wings on each side in addition to small protrusions added to the upper fairing. Wings have been used by Ducati sporadically for several years, this elaborate setup debuted late last year.Courtesy of Ducati

The panel of buttons on the left clip-on is used to control the spec ECU's various rider aids. The frame's steering head has inserts that can be used to adjust rake angle. Ducati Corse General Manager, Luigi Dall’Igna, stated at the bike's introduction that, “The Desmosedici GP that we are presenting today is an evolution version of the bike that we used throughout last year’s championship. Our aim for 2016 is to constantly fight with the top riders in all rounds of the championship.”Courtesy of Ducati

"In this season there have been some important regulation changes," said Dall'Igna. "The unified software and the new Michelin tyres, and so the most important part of the work has been to adapt the bike to these changes."Courtesy of Ducati

Another view of the Desmosedici GP's elaborate wings.Courtesy of Ducati

The updated aerodynamics include the protrusions on the upper fairing to better shield the rider's hands. The small lever below the right clip-on is most likely associated with the seamless transmission, and not used on-track by the rider.Courtesy of Ducati

The exhaust system is manufactured by Akrapovic. Along with the change to Michelin spec tires this year, rim sizes front and rear have changed from 16.5-inch diameter to 17-inch.Courtesy of Ducati

"In 2015 we obtained eight podiums with the factory team with four second places," said Dall'Igna, "but we did not always have the same consistency in our performance during the season. This year however the aim is to always fight for the leading positions and get back to winning races again. We know that it is an extremely ambitious aim, but we are used to accepting the most difficult of challenges.”Courtesy of Ducati

"I tested the new Desmosedici GP at Sepang and Phillip Island and my first sensations are positive," said rider Andrea Iannone. "I believe that it will be a very competitive bike and allow us to achieve the aims to which we aspire and I can’t wait to get going.”Courtesy of Ducati

"This will be my fourth year in Ducati, and I believe that we have everything we need to aim big, especially after all the work we’ve been doing over the winter," said Andrea Dovizioso. "I immediately found a good feeling with the Desmosedici GP, and I could see the positive aspects of the new bike. We still need a bit more time to fully adapt to the new Michelin tyres, but the early feelings are very good and so I’m optimistic.”Courtesy of Ducati