The Ducati Kagayama Team is preparing for the 2024 All Japan Superbike challenge with riders Yukio Kagayama and Ryo Mizuno. Both riders recently visited the Ducati Museum and headquarters in Borgo Panigale, participating in technical meetings and familiarizing themselves with the Panigale V4R. They also attended the Superbike World Championship tests in Jerez de la Frontera to evaluate the behavior of the Italian motorcycle on the track, particularly in terms of Marelli electronic management.
Marc Marquez was not the only one to visit the museum Ducati and the Borgo Panigale company last week. Indeed, at the same time, in Bologna, two new "Ducatisti" discovered their new reality, while they are about to take on an unprecedented challenge: leading Ducati to victory in the All Japan Superbikes.
Yukio Kagayama et Ryo Mizuno thus lived a week in total immersion in the red Ducati, spending numerous technical meetings within the company, even playing privileged observers in Jerez de la Frontera during the pre-season tests of the World Championship Superbike.
Ducati Team Kagayama wants to make history
Ducati achieved very little in all of Japan. Zero titles and victories, only one podium signed by Noriyuki Haga just 30 years ago... But in 2024, things could change. The Kagayama team of Yukio Kagayama himself, after having lived a “life” (33 years) with Suzuki, embraced the cause Ducati to win and convince in the Superbike du Soleil Levant and in the 8 hours from Suzuka.
Ryo Mizuno, snatched from Honda after 11 years of activism with the manufacturer with golden wings, is the driver chosen for this ambitious project, with the availability of a competitive Panigale V4R to face local competition from Yamaha et Honda.
The 2024 season will start early for the team, with the 2&4 Race at Suzuka on March 9 and 10. THE Ducati Team Kagayama will be officially presented on February 15, marking the start of preparations for the All Japan Superbike. The team aims to be competitive and will also hope to win places to compete in the Suzuka 8 Hours on July 21.
