The new Ducati 1098 has been voted Most Beautiful Motorcycle of the Show at the 2006 edition of the Milan-based EICMA show. This verdict came from over 24,000 motorcycling enthusiasts who participated in a competition organised by the Italian magazine Motociclismo, which carried out, as it does every year, a survey among the visitors. The new Superbike model from Borgo Panigale won over 30 percent of the vote, followed – at a considerable distance – by the MV Agusta Brutale 910R and the Yamaha YZF-R1. The prize-giving took place yesterday afternoon, on the Motolive stage (the area dedicated to the outdoor events of EICMA 2006) in the presence of Costantino Ruggero, the director of EICMA. The award highlights the huge public enthusiasm for this ‘made in Borgo Panigale’ jewel and provides further confirmation of the enormous amount of energy and resources Ducati is channelling into new product development.

Set to become the new benchmark for the Superbike segment, the new Ducati 1098, the result of extensive on-track experience in both MotoGP and SBK, is the very essence of innovation, technology and ingenious Italian creativity.
 

Equipped with the new 160hp ‘Testastretta Evoluzione’ engine (the most powerful twin- cylinder production engine in the world), the Ducati 1098 offers the world’s highest torque/weight ratio (the S version weighs just 171kg) for a twin-cylinder sports production bike.

There will be three versions of the new Superbike 1098 when it goes on sale next year. Aside from the standard road version, the 'Biposto', there will be a "1098 S" option which will feature new suspension modifications and wheel upgrades, similar in format to that which is offered on the current 999 model, while there will also be a special "1098 S Tri-Colore" limited-edition example which will commemorate the original 851 Tri-Colore bike. The 1098 S Tri-Colore will feature a evocative red, white and green racing livery and a Termignoni performance exhaust system, amongst other performance enhancements. With everything already in place for the market launch, the new bike will be in Ducati showrooms in December 2006.