Ducati and endurance are not really a love story. The brand, which has not always been known for its reliability, has never really been interested in it. But with the Panigale V4 R, the Bologna factory has a formidable machine in terms of pure performance, but also in terms of reliability, which it intends to make triumphant in endurance races. And without really committing on its own behalf, Ducati has provided significant support to the German ERC team since last year.
After defending the official colors of BMW Motorrad Motorsport in 2018/2019, the ERC Endurance Team entered a Ducati Panigale V4 R at the 8 Hours of Sepang, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Estoril in 2020. A great way to prepare for the 2021 FIM EWC season, the first full-time in the ERC Endurance partnership with Ducati. The team will be available for all appointments scheduled in the calendar.
In order to strengthen his team, Uwe Reinhardt entrusted the role of team manager to Frank Hoffmann, Director of Wunderlich and himself a driver. Uwe Reinhardt will focus on the role of ERC team manager. On the technical side, the contribution of a team of engineers from Bologna is still relevant.
The line-up of drivers has also been defined, and will be the same as that entered during the 12 Hours of Estoril in 2020. It will therefore be composed of Louis Rossi, who has been an integral part of the ERC team since last year, Mathieu Gines, FIM EWC World Champion in 2014 but also double French Superbike Champion in 2019 and 2020 as well as Sylvain Barrier. The latter, a Ducati rider in the FIM Superbike world championship with the Brixx Performance team last year, will give priority to Endurance in 2021.
With this French trio and a strengthened collaboration with Michelin, the German team intends to make the colors of the Italian brand shine in 2021.
The ERC Endurance Team will be at the Jerez circuit in Spain on January 20-21 for winter testing.
