Ducati releases FIVE special edition Panigales to celebrate 2023 race successes
The Bologna firm is making a habit of this now. After sweeping the board in world racing in 2022, it did the same thing in 2023, taking titles in MotoGP, WorldSBK and World Supersport – as well as taking the BSB title with the PBM BeerMonster team.
And to celebrate, the firm’s produced no less that five one-off limited edition runs of special Panigale V4S and Panigale V2 machines, each dedicated to one of the firm’s world championship riders: Pecco Bagnai the MotoGP champ, Alvaro Bautista the WSBK champ, Jorge Martin of the Pramac MotoGP team, Marco Bezzechi from the VR46 MotoGP team, and a Nicolo Bulega WorldSSP champion Panigale V2 with Aruba.it replica livery.
The bikes were released at a special festival event at the weekend in Bologna.
According to Ducati, the Panigale V4 Bagnaia 2023 World Champion Replica is inspired by the most exclusive livery of the 2024 season, the Ducati Yellow with which the Desmosedici GP of the Ducati Lenovo Team raced the San Marino and Riviera di Rimini GP at Misano. Production is limited to 263 units.
The Panigale V4 Bautista 2023 World Champion Replica uses the Ducati Yellow livery of the Panigale V4 R with which Álvaro Bautista raced the Misano rounds and race 2 at Jerez de la Frontera. The livery, specifically, is inspired by the one with which Bautista became WorldSBK World Champion for the second time, at Jerez.
And, like the Panigale V4 R from which it takes its inspiration, it features a brushed aluminium fuel tank, carbon fibre winglets and Marchesini forged aluminium wheels in light grey and they’re only making 219 of them.
The Panigale V4 Martín 2023 Racing Replica wears the official colours of the Prima Pramac team Desmosedici GP, and is rendered all the more unique by the carbon fibre front fender. Production is limited to 189 units.
And finally, there’s the Panigale V4 Bezzecchi 2023 Racing Replica, inspired by the yellow/black livery of the Desmosedici GP of the Mooney VR46 team. There will be just 72 bikes made.
The four Panigale V4 replicas are based on the 1,103cc ‘S’ version of the Panigale V4, and are enhanced by various Ducati Performance components that make them even more valuable and effective on road and track.
The technical equipment boasts the adoption of the nine-disc STM-EVO SBK dry clutch and the Akrapovič homologated silencer, which is 2kg lighter than the standard silencer on the Panigale V4.
The Brembo braking system is enhanced by Stylema® R calipers and MCS master cylinder with remote adjustment. The adjustable footpegs are Rizoma billet aluminium, and there’s a plexiglass racing windscreen.
Other technical details include carbon parts like the special heat shield for the rear exhaust manifolds, the alternator cover, the rear mudguard and the front brake ducts. Also in carbon fibre, combined with titanium, is the cover protecting the single-sided swingarm.
All Panigale V4 Replica bikes are made even closer to the racing bikes they are inspired by thanks to a series of accessories, such as the open clutch cover in carbon fibre, the kits for removing the number plate holder and mirrors, the racing fuel tank cap in billet aluminium and the GPS module that allows a display on the dashboard of lap times and split times taken on track.
For the Panigale V2 Nicolo Bulega 2023 World Champion Replica, there’s the red/black livery from the Aruba.it Racing WorldSSP team, and production is limited to 111 units.
The replica has upgraded Öhlins suspension and steering damper, and Akrapovič racing silencers, which boosts peak power by 2.5% and the maximum torque by 2%, while reducing the weight of the bike by 5kg (along with the Li-ion race battery).
The Rizoma rider footpegs are adjustable, made from billet aluminium, while front and rear mudguards, chain guard, clutch cover guard, swingarm guard and shock absorber guard are all in carbon fibre.
Owners can get even more of a racetrack feel by fitting the number plate and mirror removal kit, and the billet aluminium racing tank cap.
Each of the fancy Panigale replicas will come with a certificate of authenticity and will be delivered in a wooden packing case with dedicated graphics and a customised motorbike cover.
No word on prices or availability in the UK as yet – but there will surely be more details on www.ducati.com, or speak to your local dealer! Good luck!