Ducati sold 59,477 motorcycles globally which is a new record for the Italian company, up 24% on 2020 and 12% over 2019.
Further to Ducati’s good news, the company has met the highest quality standards to be awarded the Top Employer Italy certification for the eighth year in a row.
And Ducati is also back in London with a new dealership in the railway arches of Vauxhall.
The only glitch in the Ducati good news is that Miller tested positive to Covid-19 on Wednesday 19 January.
Jack, whose contract with Ducati is under a clouds, will not make it back to Europe in time to take part in the official 2022 team photoshoot session.
The number 43 rider, who is asymptomatic, is in self-isolation in Australia and will do a second PCR test next week.
The 2022 Ducati Lenovo Team Season Launch scheduled for 28 January will be postponed to 7 February 2022.
It comes as Jack and team-mate Francesco Bagnaia, whose contracts run out this year, will be a in a three-way fight for the two seats with impressive rookie Jorge Martin.
Meanwhile, Jack hopes to head to the official MotoGP Shakedown test from 31 January – 2 February at Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
He says he is “doing fine”.
“Since I don’t have any symptoms, at least I can continue with my training,” he says.
“I miss you all and will see you in Sepang for the test.”
“Honestly the riders complain a lot about the situation of the asphalt in Austin,” said MotoGP™ Grand Prix Safety Director Franco Uncini in November. “I noticed that it was very bumpy, not so much as we discovered when we raced, but unfortunately the land is too soft, and the situation is that these bumps continue to move and depends on the moment that can be worse or less. It was a really bad situation during the campaign, and we request for the complete resurfacing, but they cannot and they will do only the most important section.”
Dovizioso will compete in his 15th season in MotoGP™, with the Italian returning to the sport halfway through the 2021 season following a brief sabbatical. After a fruitful eight seasons with Ducati, where he was a regular Championship contender, Dovi returned to Yamaha at the San Marino GP and rode the remaining five races on a 2019-spec YZR-M1. However, for the new season, he will ride on the latest model as he looks to fight his way back towards the top of the sport.
Dovizioso will compete in his 15th season in MotoGP™, with the Italian returning to the sport halfway through the 2021 season following a brief sabbatical. After a fruitful eight seasons with Ducati, where he was a regular Championship contender, Dovi returned to Yamaha at the San Marino GP and rode the remaining five races on a 2019-spec YZR-M1. However, for the new season, he will ride on the latest model as he looks to fight his way back towards the top of the sport.
Jack Miller is unable to fly to Europe after recently testing positive to Covid.
Jack has no symptoms and is continuing to train, but unfortunately due to not being able to travel, he will not make the official Ducati MotoGP Team Launch next week in Europe.
Hopefully he will be able to make the Sepang Test scheduled to be held on February 5-6. MotoGP is then scheduled to test the following week at the new Mandalika Circuit in Indonesia.
I could only dodge it for so long before it jumped up and bit me! 😂 However, we’re all good and healthy in 🇦🇺 until I can travel soon as, looking forward to being back with the @ducaticorse team! 🤟 pic.twitter.com/ik17O6R17O
Australia has two lads strutting their stuff in international championships that go by the name of “Harry” and both had a very confronting year in 2021. I covered Harrison Voight in the last instalment, while the other Harry is of course Harry Khouri , more commonly called ‘Hazza’, and he’s taken a different path as he aims to turn his aspirations into success.
Harry Khouri at Wakefield Park in 2020 – Image by RBMotoLens
Unlike many others that learned their early race craft in dirt track racing, Hazz did very little in that discipline; just a couple of club races, but heaps of training days to learn the basics before he turned to road racing and entered the GP Juniors series in 2017, riding a Yamaha R15.
Such was his improvement during that year, he was presented the opportunity of an invite from AMCN magazine for a Wild Card ride at the final round of the ASBK Supersport 300 at Phillip Island.
During the next two seasons the progress to the front of the ultra-competitive class continued at a steady pace, and in 2018 he finished sixth and seventh respectively in the Yamaha R3 Cup and the Supersport 300 class.
Harry Khouri – Image by TBG
During 2019 Khouri travelled to Europe to try his luck for the first time and contested two rounds of the IDM German Championship, at Assen and Hockenheim. His performances at those two outings was enough to be invited to competed in the entire season of IDM in 2020.
At the beginning of that wretched year, Khouri competed in the first round of the ASBK Supersport 300 title, held alongside the Superbike World Championship at Phillip Island, (that event seems so very long ago now…) where he banked a perfect score of pole position and three wins.
Harry Khouri leads in the SS300 in 2019 – Image by RbMotoLens
With the consequences of the pandemic, the German racing season didn’t commence until July, but he had already relocated over there in anticipation of the year. The wait was worth it, as he claimed his first two international wins and a second place during the series where he finished seventh. After leading the title at one stage, he had a crash at the final round which saw him to drop down the order.
Obviously, the Australian season was decimated by the plague, with limited racing, but the cloud lifted enough for a double header round at Wakefield Park in December. Harry underwent the necessary requirements of quarantine to return to compete and claimed the shortened three round championship to add an Australian title to his rapidly expanding resume.
Harry Khouri at Jerez in 2021- Image by 2snap
2021 promised plenty, with a move to the Supersport 300 World Championship, run alongside the Superbike World Championship, with the Fusport RT Motorsports by SKM Kawasaki Team. With over 40 riders split between two groups to determine grid spots, it’s a cut-throat class where a few hundredths of a second can mean the difference between qualifying and not even getting a place on the grid.
The year started well at the first round where he claimed a ninth place, but in the race the next day he was taken out by another rider. From there, the season unravelled. At the next round at Misano, he crashed during the Superpole session and broke his hand. Hazza learnt quickly how little mistakes can mean severe consequences as he battled throughout the rest of the season, with only three point scoring finishes in the next 10 races.
Harry Khouri – Image by 2snap
But the unthinkable happened in the first race of the penultimate round, at Jerez, when he was involved in the tragic accident that claimed the life of Dean Berta Vinales, cousin of Maverick. Harry was utterly distraught over the incident, and as such was not permitted to race the next day.
The next weekend he competed in the final round at Portimao, rounding out the season with an 18th place.
This year Khouri will continue in the Supersport 300 World Championship title and has signed with the Irish-based, Team 109, and will return to Europe in the next few weeks.
Harry Khouri
DOB 1 March 2004
Lives: Richmond (NSW)
Mark Bracks: So a new team and renewed focus for 2022?
Harry ‘Hazza’ Khouri: “Yeah, after everything that has happened I am really looking forward to the new challenge. I will once again be based in Andorra throughout the season. It’s a good place and great for training because it’s all at altitude.”
Harry Khouri – Image by 2snap
Bracks: Are you living near Jack Miller and many of the other Aussies that are based there?
Khouri: “We aren’t too far away from each other. As you know Andorra isn’t a large country, but I haven’t seen much of Jack as we are doing different things and it’s not often you catch up with other riders as you do your own stuff.”
Bracks: Last year was certainly a pretty trying year for you.
Khouri: “It was a tough year both mentally, and physically. Coming into the year I only knew one track – Assen – from the year before, so I had a lot to learn with the new team and seven new tracks on the calendar. It wasn’t a bad start; P9 in the first race then I was taken out in the second race. Then we went to Misano and I broke my hand and it sort of all went a bit downhill from there. Overall I am not entirely disappointed with the season, but I’m disappointed in the way I know I could’ve done better.”
Khouri and the pack of WorldSSP 300 riders that were later caught up in the incident – Image 2snap
Bracks: I don’t want to dwell on it too long but what happened at Jerez is something no rider wants to think about.
Khouri: “Unfortunately these things can happen in our sport, and it is something that I will have to live with for the rest of my life. I would have liked to ride the next day, just to take my mind off it a little bit – as that’s one thing that riding does for me. And having to race again only a week later with that still on my mind was not just hard for me, but all the other riders as well.”
Bracks: I bet. Was Dorna good to you?
Khouri: “They were very respectful with it, however I wish that they gave me the chance to at least go out in warm-up. I can completely understand why they didn’t, because I was genuinely very upset about the weekend but it would have helped take my mind off the accident. The response from within the paddock and also outside was overwhelming. Many of the riders and teams came to see me in the garage, and I received messages from a lot of others around the world, and from back home.”
Harry Khouri – Image by 2snap
Bracks: That was a steep learning curve for you. How much can you take out of that – all the knocks. Not only Jerez, but everything with your injuries etc. Has that made you stronger in your determination and personality?
Khouri: “I think after having a year as hard as I did and still have the determination to keep going, I can draw from the negatives and focus on what I need to do for the coming season.”
Bracks: What are your goals for this year? I know it’s hard joining a new team and trying to think ahead…
Khouri: “My goal is always to be up the front and challenging for the win, and I didn’t give myself enough opportunities for that last year. I know I have the capability to be there, and am confident that Team 109 and I can achieve this together. Its difficult to know where you are at until the first test, where you get a reference in terms of other riders in the championship.”
Harry Khouri
Bracks: So the team is shaping up well?
Khouri: “Team 109 are a great bunch of guys and their focus is young rider development. They promote a great team environment and I’m looking forward to getting the season started in March. Daniel Mogeda from Spain has signed with them again. He and I are similar in speed, and I think we can really help each other out during the year.”
Bracks: I suppose one thing with an Irish team they’ll teach you how to celebrate! How is your Spanish?
Khouri: “Hopefully we’ll have a few opportunities to celebrate this year. I’m a bit useless at Spanish at the moment so Google translate is my friend!”
Bracks: All the best Hazz. Hopefully, it all turns around for you and we see you battling at the front a lot more often and you crack a win.
Khouri: “Thanks Bracksy. That’s the main aim mate!”
Arturo Magni joined the MV Agusta race department in 1950 and remained there as the department manager until MV quit racing in 1977. He, together with his sons, then went into business modifying road-going MVs with new frames, chain final drive and bodywork.
However realising that there were only so many potential MV customers, they soon turned to modifying first Hondas, then BMWs and finally, in 1985, Moto Guzzis.
Magni Guzzi Sfida 1000
The first Magni Guzzi was the “Le Mans” and it featured Magni’s new developed ‘parallelogrammo’ rear suspension system which was designed to cancel the torque reaction of the shaft drive. The “Classico 1000” and “Arturo 1000” models were released in ’87 and then in ’89 the “Sfida” (Challenge).
The Sfida was styled to recall Italian racing bikes of the ‘60s such as Gilera and MV Agusta with its sculpted tank and humped seat. The motor was the 1000 cc two-valve unit used by the Guzzi LeMans and made around 90 hp.
Magni Guzzi Sfida 1000
A 400 cc model (smaller and lighter than the 1000) was developed when 90 400 cc motors became available from Moto Guzzi. They were sold in Japan and fitted with 18 inch wheels and Marzocchi suspension.
About 58 Sfida 1000s were produced before the Sfida 1100 was introduced in 1996. This still used the LeMans motor but fitted with a big-bore kit. A new chassis (retaining the parallelogrammo rear end) was used, together with Forcelle Italia front forks, Koni rear shocks and Gold Line Brembo brakes.
Magni Guzzi Sfida 1000
The next Sfida update was in 1997 with the 1100 ie Biposto which employed Guzzi’s electronic fuel-injection and had a convertible dual seat. The biggest change to the model came the following year with the introduction of the four-valve 1000cc Daytona engine. Output was raised to 102 hp. A monoshock version of the parallelogramo rear suspension was fitted.
The final Sfida model was the Giappone 52 (Japan 52) built to commemorate both the 20th anniversary of the company’s founding and 50 years for the Japanese importer, Fukuda Motors. The 1100ie motor was used and a full fairing featuring large bulges with air scoops was fitted. As the name implies, 52 were built.
The bike seen here is a 1991 Sfida 1000 and was photographed in New Zealand. The original red paint has faded somewhat.
Vespa’s classic style and well-received products have shot it to a strong brand value globally.
Begin press release:
Piaggio Group (PIA.MI), Europe’s largest scooter and motorcycle manufacturer and one of the world leaders in the industry, today shares the findings of a new report that explores the details behind Vespa’s strong brand value – identifying the brand as a key asset in its broader portfolio. The results of the analysis show that in 2021, the Vespa brand value totaled 906m€.
“Vespa is much more than a mobility brand; it symbolizes art, design, technology, and fun,” says Michele Colaninno, Piaggio Group Board Director for Strategy, Products & Innovation. “Vespa is an icon of style: its uniqueness makes it one of the most admired and desired brands, belonging to the premium space as well as fashion and lifestyle brands. For this reason, we must begin to benchmark it against other global brands beyond pure mobility. That’s why we have asked Interbrand, the world’s leading brand consultancy, to determine and analyze the financial value of the Vespa brand. This is not a finishing line, but simply a new starting point as we continue to build the future of Vespa.”
Michele Colaninno
Findings in the report by the leading brand consultancy Interbrand point to what it describes as “a unique, globally recognized brand, thanks to its perfect combination of design, lifestyle and Italian heritage”, ultimately estimating the Vespa brand value to be 906m€.
“The term ‘iconic’ is overused, but there’s really no other way to define this brand,” says Manfredi Ricca, Interbrand’s Global Chief Strategy Officer. “Vespa is a heritage brand, and yet it is constantly evolving; it’s deeply Italian, and yet globally loved; it’s premium, and yet inclusive. Our valuation work doesn’t only set into numbers the desire and demand for this brand – it also shows Vespa to be essentially a category of one at the intersection of mobility, expression, and culture.”
In determining the Vespa brand’s financial value, Interbrand employed proven, proprietary brand valuation techniques, incorporating a comprehensive set of resources, market data, and quantitative studies conducted across Vespa’s 10x key markets.
Among the key contributing factors to Vespa’s overall Brand Strength Score was Distinctiveness within the industry, thanks to the uniqueness and recognizability of its product design and the heritage which characterized this Italian Icon. Affinity also plays a significant role in deriving brand value – highlighting customers’ strong positive feelings toward the brand. Overall the brand plays in an arena that is broader than mobility, addressing needs such as self-expression and entertainment.
Manfredi Ricca
Vespa represents Italian essence at its very best: a timeless icon whose heritage has inspired millions of people worldwide. The Vespa brand transcends functional product benefits – and is synonymous of lifestyle, delivering the dual benefit of a critical emotional connection with customers.
2021 represented a strong year for Vespa, who celebrated their 75th anniversary, with the launch of Vespa 75th Special Series; more than 19 million units have been produced and sold since 1946 – a milestone reached over the past 12 months. Vespa also saw success across the expansion of its brand ecosystem – with the launch of the new Vespa 946 Christian Dior, a collaboration with Justin Bieber, and the global resonance generated through the Disney Pixar movie “Luca” in which the Vespa is integral to the film’s plot and narrative.
The 906m€ brand value represents a key milestone for this beloved Italian brand, highlighting the relevance it has among its global audience. It’s a starting point for a long-term plan that pushes Vespa towards new ambitious goals through innovations and global partnerships.
Piaggio Group
Established in 1884, the Piaggio Group is Europe’s largest scooter and motorcycle manufacturer and one of the world leaders in its sector. It has been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2006 (PIA.MI) and has three main lines of business: 2 and 3 wheel vehicles (scooters and motorcycles), light commercial vehicles, and the robotics division (Piaggio Fast Forward) in Boston. The Group portfolio includes some of the best-known and most iconic light mobility brands, such as Piaggio, Vespa, Moto Guzzi, Aprilia, Derbi, Ape, and Piaggio Commercial. With more than 6,600 employees, the Piaggio Group markets its products in over 100 countries and has six manufacturing plants, in Italy, India, China, Vietnam, and America. The Group also has four R&D centers with around 1,000 employees. Piaggio Group www.piaggiogroup.com
Vespa
It was 1946 when Vespa made its debut on the roads of a Europe devastated by the recent conflict but, equally, full of creativity and a desire for renewal. After seventy-six years of history and over nineteen million scooters, Vespa is a global reference for style, elegance, and technology. A brand known and loved all over the world that, with almost two million vehicles produced in the last decade, is experiencing one of the most fortunate and dynamic periods in its story. www.vespa.com
Interbrand
Interbrand has over 30 years of experience delivering brand valuation analysis, having designed and led the world’s first brand valuation in 1988. Interbrand was the first company to have its brand valuation methodology certified as compliant with the requirements of ISO 10668 (requirements for monetary brand valuation) and played a key role in the development of the standard itself.
Interbrand partners with more than 650 of the world’s best-known brands, to deliver what the company calls “Iconic Moves” – defined as bold steps brands take to leap ahead of customer expectation and drive competitive advantage. In collaboration with the world’s leading brands, Interbrand’s team of thinkers and makers are pioneering the future of the brand building. Headquartered in New York, Interbrand also has offices in London, Milan, Madrid, Mumbai, Cologne, Mexico City, Boston, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, and Tokyo. The company currently partners with more than half of the world’s Best Global Brands.
While you’re hibernating with your motorcycle, don’t forget to tend to your gear as well while awaiting Spring. Whether it’s a complete overhaul repair or a deep cleaning/water-repellant renewal, now’s the time, says our man Goldfine, at Aerostich:
Our repair experts are available to turn-around incoming work quickly this time of year. So this is a great time to get your Aerostich gear carefully repaired or refurbished – or even have us clean and renew the water-repellent treatment. Your suit, jacket, or pants will be ready to ride again well in time for spring. Average turnaround time is 1 to 3 weeks.
Details are right here. I think I’m going to take Aerostich up on the offer…
Riding on Honda’s CBR600rr, a change from the RC213V-S we saw him on in Portimao, at the counterclockwise circuit, it was another encouraging run out for the Spaniard. Recovering from a diplopia diagnosis, Marquez has failed to report any further symptoms since his return to the tarmac, and it looks full steam ahead for the first Official Test of the season in Sepang.
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