TAKING over the reins in the MotoE class from 2023 onwards is Ducati, which has just revealed its challenger for the most prestigious electric motorcycle racing series.
Unlike the current Energica-built machine, the MotoE bike from Borgo Panigale isn’t a road bike that’s been converted into a racer, with Ducati going for a clean sheet design for its latest race bike. That’s not to say that this machine won’t have some influence over a future electric Ducati model, with the Italian firm keen on using MotoGP tech in its road-going machines.
Ducati MotoE racer revealed
The design of the bike is refreshingly clean and elegant, with no wings or appendages to distract your gaze. With a hint of Panigale in the shape of the front fairing and the line of fuel tank cover and seat unit, if it ever did make it onto the public roads, it’ll definitely be a looker!
And it’s not just pretty Italian design elements, there’s top-spec tech and engineering at work too. The front end comprises the holy trinity of Öhlins, Brembo and Marchesini, while the swingarm and subframe are full carbon fibre items. They are both key to the bike’s success, with Ducati evidently working hard to get the weight of the machine low as possible. With heavy batteries required to complete a race distance, getting the rest of the bike is key to completing a fast laptime.
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Checking out the machine in its first test was Ducati test rider and racer Michele Pirro, who was stretching the new bike’s legs at the Misano circuit in Rimini. And from seeing the pictures, it’s clear that Ducati is taking this very seriously indeed. Ducati will be aiming to come into the championship swinging, posting anything other than record laptimes next season will be a massive failure for the factory.
