‘BUONGIORNO, wake up, you’re in Italy,’ a voice popped up in my head.
It was summer in Bologna, where I had just landed in Istanbul, and the blistering hot weather reminded me of home.
But everything else was new, exciting and Italian. I thought I smelled pizza...
It was my first trip abroad, ever, thanks to Ducati Malaysia.
I was to spend a week, including flying time, in Misano, where the World Ducati Week 2018 was to take place.
Misano is about 130km from Bologna, which is situated in the northern Italy and where the famous Ducati Museo and Ducati Factory is located in the Emilia Romagna region.
Later that day, I would meet with 52 other Malaysians from the Ducati Owners’ Club Malaysia (DOCM) who were taking part in an adventure ride that covered Milan, Genoa, Pisa, Rome, Florence, and Bologna.
From Bologna, 11 of the Malaysians would ride the last leg Misano, for the World Ducati Week (WDW) event, while the rest would be transferred by coach.
But not before everybody made the pilgrimage to the Ducati museum and factory to learn and understand what made Ducati such a household name.
WDW, which takes place every two years, saw this year a record-breaking turnout of Ducati owners and passionate motorcyclists from all over the world.
DOCM vice-president Marzuki Jaafar said the contingent from Malaysia to the WDW 2018 was the largest ever.
“The last time Ducati Malaysia organised a trip to WDW was in 2012. This year we (the DOCM members) decided to organize the trip ourselves. We were so excited when Ducati Malaysia heard of our plan, they came in and supported us,” he added.
The WDW 2018, which is the event’s 10th edition, brought together 91,596 Ducati owners and fans from all over the world.
Ducati Asia Marketing Manager, Stefano Campaci said, “With 91,596 attendees at the Misano World Circuit, the WDW 2018 exceeded the previous record of 81,000 attendees set in 2016 by 13 per cent.
“The participants travelled to the Adriatic Riviera from five continents, representing 73 countries. While 60 per cent of the riders were Italian, the remaining 40 per cent were from outside Italy, evidence of the power and appeal of the Ducati brand around the world,” he said.
The three-day event from 20 to 22 July 2018 at the Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” offered a flight of 250 different activities and interestingly one World Ducati Wedding and two marriage proposals and the atmosphere was electric.
A sea of reds were seen parked at the platform provided in the center of Misano circuit.
Ducati and motorcycle enthusiasts had the chance to feast their eyeballs on a variety of Ducati models as the signature “kring kring kring” sound of Ducati dry clutch bikes passed by them.
There were an array of activities during the WDW 2018. “Too many, perhaps,” according to Marzuki, who didn’t sound too complaining, actually. Some of the main highlights was a parade of visitors on their own Ducatis as they seized the opportunity to ride the Misano circuit and all the way to Remini dock.
There was a Scrambler Flat Track event and a Scrambler Beach Party for followers of the iconic Ducati Scrambler, stunts, concerts, technical courses at Ducati University, exhibitions of Ducati apparely and eyewear, taxi drives on the track with high performance Lamborghini, Audi and Seat cars, and the Monster Village dedicated to the model’s 25th anniversary celebrated this year.
The event surface area was designed in such a way that participants got to experience different atmosphere and activities according to the thematic areas.
One of it included the bright yellow-painted cabin containers which had “Land of Joy” written on it, which was meant as a special welcome to Ducati Scrambler fans and owners.
There were also an area dedicated to the Panigale and the Multistrada Experience featuring Carlin Dunne’s Multistrada 1260 Pikes Peak, winner of Pikes Peak 2018 race.
The “Race of Champions” is regarded by many as the main highlight of the WDW 2018.
Before the grid opened, it was preceded by a spectacular flyover Frecce Tricolori (the “tricolor arrows”, the Blue Angels’ Italian counterparts) aerobatic team.
The grid then welcomed 142 Ducatisti guests for 10 minutes and I had the chance to watch the racing team fine-tuning the racers’ bikes for the Race of Champions. In the grid I managed to take a picture together with the professional racer, Jorge Lorenzo.
12 Ducati MotoGP and SBK Champions competed on the Misano circuit riding the Panigale V4 S, specially prepared with racing configuration and customised liveries.
A battle that was won by Michele Pirro, followed by Rabat, ForÈs, Miller, Melandri, Rinaldi, then Dovizioso, SimÈon, Petrucci, Lorenzo, Abraham and Bayliss.
These twelve machines were then auctioned off to the public via eBay via an auction that ended on July 28.
In the midst of the busy World Ducati Week, a sneak preview was taking place in a “secret room” where they revealed the 2019 Ducati Diavel 1260 S dubbed “Project 1309”.
The new Diavel shares a similar version of the XDiavel’s Testastretta DVT V-twin which comes with a fully adjustable Ohlin’s suspension. The 1260 S gets Panigale-spec Brembo Monoblock brakes and eight-inch rear rim which gives a sports bike-like looks.
DOCM member Dewi Rosnita said she had the best time in Italy especially riding all the way from Milan to attend the World Ducati Week for the first time.
“It is very interesting and fun to meet fellow Ducati riders all over the world who share the same passion
“Ducati is special to me not just because of the performance but also the lifestyle it offers,” said Dewi, who owns a Panigale.
Stefano said one of Ducati’s biggest strengths is its community.
“The Borgo Panigale-based brand is capable, as you experienced yourself, of bringing people together from all over the world, that sometimes do not even speak the same language but still manage to create connections and real friendships due to the same shared passion.”
When asked on the future models, Stefano said that Ducati’s line-up remains extremely premium but “all models will be presented to the public during the EICMA in Milan, next November.”
Vice-president of Ducati Malaysia, Fazli Hisham Shukor told CBT that the WDW has created a stronger bond and passion in the hearts of every DOCM members who participated.
“Our plan for the next World Ducati Week in year 2020 is to enhance the current Ducati Premium Experience through our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) activities and more active promotions via social media and the club within these two years,” he said.