The Superbike championship is basically a world speed championship which is contested with machines derived from the series. Unlike MotoGP which only pits prototypes against each other. That being said, they are still motorcycles and you have to evolve within the shackles of regulations. The latter is nevertheless open enough to see this kind of thing on an official Ducati Panilage R.
Currently, the protagonists that WSBK are at Misano, a track that Ducati knows in particular. The reds seem to have mourned their aerodynamic ambitions on a Desmosedici whose fins have been cut and which will not have the original so-called “hamster head” fairing. However, the Reds' research in the aerodynamic field has not been thrown in the trash. The proof.
This is a photo taken by GP One of the rear wheel of the motorcycle Chaz Davies. Ducati took advantage of its visit to Misano to bring out a lenticular wheel. On the same circuit, in 2016, the GP16 of Michele Pirro had been equipped in this way during tests. We therefore have a continuation of the ideas among the reds.
A diverted test for MotoGP? We do not know. The team's second machine, driven by Marco Melandri, was not adorned with this wheel thatErnesto Marinelli, the man of the situation for Borgo Panilage in Superbike describes it as follows: “ it is called the “covered wheel” and it is a large carbon protection which covers the wheel, except the tire. It is used for the aerodynamic coefficient of the motorcycle on straight lines. This reduces turbulence. But it offers no advantage in turns ».
On September 10, it will be the San Marino Grand Prix… In Misano.
