Ducatistis Out for a Treat: 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 Launch with Checa, Bianchi, Alberto

Christmas came early for Ducatistis, motorcycle enthusiasts and MotoGP followers as Ducati Philippines brought Ducati MotoGP rider and World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa in the country to spearhead the launching of the Ducati Panigale V4.

Checa, together with European Women's Supersport champion Rebecca Bianchi, Ducati Stock 1000 Cup rider Federico Sandi, Ducati DRE Lead Technical Manager Dario Marchetti, and TJ Alberto, the only Filipino in the Stock 1000 Cup, part of the Superbike World Championship, took laps at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga for the ‘Panigale V4 Experience’. The trackday last November 21 to 23 also became the official launch of the 2019 Panigale V4 Motorcycles in the country that allowed Ducati enthusiasts to experience the latest offers with the Ducati Champions on a World Class machinery. Ducati Philippines conceptualized the event to provide Filipino motorcycle aficionados with a once-in-a-lifetime experience of being on the same track with the World-Class riders. Ducati Philippines is the first to introduce this concept to the country as early as 2012 as initiated by its CEO, Toti Alberto, to level up Philippine racing. The Ducati Panigale V4 consists of the very core of the Italian brand's rich history in the superbike category. The four-cylinder Desmosedici Stradale engine has been developed to dish out a maximum output of 214 hp and 124 Nm of torque. The Ducati Panigale V4 has nifty features that make riding a powerful motorcycle much easier. Among these equipment include the Ducati Power Launch, Ducati Quick Shift up/down EVO, Sachs Steering Damper, quick control selection, and auto switch off of turn signals. The 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 has a dry weight of 175 kgs, which according to Ducati Asia-Pacific Markets Director Dominique Cheraki, is closer to the weight of a 600cc bike. A veteran biker, Marchetti has expressed elation over the features of the 2019 Ducati Panigale V4. "I'm from the generation where you rely solely on skills. Thanks to these accessories, it's now easier to ride such motorcycles," he said. Noting the key features of the motorcycle, Checa is hoping that the 2019 Ducati Panigale V4 would perform well in the MotoGP. "We hope that this bike would perform better in the MotoGP," he said, claiming that while he thinks the bike would have its share of challenges, he eyes to get competitive results for its first year.

The elder Alberto, who was hailed as Ducati's best importer in Asia, said that with the new Panigale V4, they are hoping to see more 'red bikes' in the country.

Meanwhile, Ducati Philippines General Manager Marc de Joya said that 2019 is an exciting year for Ducati as he announced the coming of the Hypermotard, Diavel, and Scrambler next year.