Marco Melandri’s 2018 Ducati Panigale V2 is up for grabs

An official Ducati 1199 Panigale V2, raced by Marco Melandri during the 2018 WorldSBK championship, is going under the hammer on 9 November as part of the NEC Classic Motor Show auction. 

The full factory 1199R F18 is not any old Panigale V2, as it was the last model of its kind that was raced in the Superbike World Championship before being replaced by the V4 R. 

The V4 has gone on to achieve stunning success since 2019, winning two world championships in the hands of Alvaro Bautista, while other riders including Scott Redding and more recently Nicolo Bulega have won plenty of races aboard the Panigale V4. 

The Panigale V2 that was raced by Melandri in 2018, and Welsh rider Chaz Davies, also enjoyed lots of success prior to being replaced. Melandri secured two wins during the 2018 season, was on pole position twice, and finished fifth in the standings. 

This rare Panigale V2 is being offered by Iconic Auctioneers and is presented in its original condition, while also benefiting from a host of factory competition parts.

It was ridden at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this year, and it is good to go for those wanting to use it for track days or parades. It comes with its own paddock stand, and according to the listing, has been “well maintained as part of a large private collection”.

It comes standard with twin Akrapovic exhaust pipes, Ohlins suspension and Brembo brakes, and is expected to fetch around £60,000 to £80,000. The bike is one of 178 lots that are already available at the November auction. 

This particular model is one of several race bikes that is featured in the motorcycle sale by Iconic Auctioneers, including the headline-grabbing 2019 Ducati Desmosedici, which was raced to second place in the MotoGP World Championship by Andrea Dovizioso.

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