[Racer Duck]

On a cold day in the Italian Alps a new two-wheeled rocket was unveiled by Ducati. Hidden in an ice sculpture, Casey Stoner and his new teammate Marco Melandri quickly chiseled away to expose the Desmosedici GP8 to the world. The reigning MotoGP Manufacturer Champions are eager to continue their winning ways for the 2008 season. The new bike is the manifestation of their drive for excellence.

Marco Melandri and Casey Stoner pose with the Ducati Desmosedici GP8.
Photo by Ducati Corse.

Ducati made its return to MotoGP in 2003 and quickly established itself as a clear threat to the Japanese manufacturers. Four years later the Ducati's speed with Stoner's talent proved to be an unstoppable combination. Backed by Shell and Bridgestone the Australian claimed ten race wins and fourteen podiums total. He clinched the Drivers' Championship in Japan before going on to win at his home event and Malaysia before the season ended.

The new Ducati Desmosedici GP8.
Photo by Ducati Corse.

Stoner's confidence for the new season was noticeable during the press conference after the unveiling, "I'm happy to begin a new season with the same bike and the same team, it's a first for me since I started to race. The feeling is just perfect with everyone at Ducati: Claudio, Filippo, Livio and all of my team, I wouldn't change a thing. As for my bike, I haven't suggested any big changes either, because we already had such a competitive package. We are only going to work on a few details. Winning a World Championship has taken a big weight off my shoulders: all my parents' sacrifices, all the hard times in the past, it's all behind me now. This year, I'll continue to work in order to try and repeat my performance of last year and be even stronger and faster, but I'll be able to do that in a very different spirit."

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[Racer Duck]

At Ducati's annual ski meeting the team presented the Ducati Desmosedici GP8. The launch was set in the breathtaking scenery of Madonna di Campiglio in the Trento Dolomites. The two riders Melandri and Stoner ceremoniously broke an ice sculpture to reveal the new bike in its 2008 livery. read more >>>