Description
It's part of Italian folklore how Ducati switched from electronics to motorcycle manufacturing after their Bologna factory was bombed during the Second World War and, after inventing a clip-on engine for bicycles, went on to become one of the most revered names in motorcycling today. What is not so well known is quite how chequered that path to glory has been. Ian Falloon's authoritative history of the marque — now in an all-colour fifth edition — tells the inside story of this extraordinary company and describes every racing and production model, from the original Li8cc Cucciolo to today's exotic Superbikes.
Initially under government control, Ducati went through several decades of ups and downs, characterised by dubious managerial decisions. Held together by the great engineer Fabio Taglioni, the father of desmodromic valve gear, Ducati produced some of the finest motorcycles of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s: the Marianna, desmo 125 single, Mach 1, 750 and Pantah. Taglioni also instigated Ducati's return to racing, and victory in the 1972 Imola 200 was the turning point. Mike Hailwood rode the 900 Ducati to victory in the 1978 Isle of Man Formula One race and Tony Rutter took four World TT2 Championships.
Cagiva purchased Ducati in 1985, bringing a new engineer, Massimo Bordi, and new designs — most famously the Desmoquattro. In various guises this model dominated the World Superbike Championship during the 1990s, particularly in the hands of Carl Fogarty. Landmark models included the 916 and Monster and, with the sale of Ducati to the Texas Pacific Group in 1996, the company continued to grow. The racing programme expanded to MotoGP and new Sport Touring and Multistrada model families were introduced. With control taken by the Italian company InvestIndustrial in 2006, Ducati embarked on a new era of development. In 2007 Ducati claimed the ultimate motorcycle racing prize, the MotoGP World Championship, won by Casey Stoner, and for 2011 the company looks on the verge of even more success with the signing of megastar Valentino Rossi.
An acknowledged Ducati expert, Ian Fa!loon is the author of more than 30 books on motorcycles, including 13 on Ducati. A freelance motorcycle journalist contributing to motorcycle magazines around the world, he lives in Australia.
Book Details:
Publisher Code: H5012
ISBN 13: 9780857330123
Author: Ian Falloon
Published: 2012
Pages: 296
Dimension: 215x275mm
Hard Bound, colour ill
