Preziosi: 2012 Desmosedici '90%' new

DUCATI Corse General Manager, Filippo Preziosi has previewed the new Desmosedici GP12 stating that: "Ninety percent of the parts are brand new."

Discussing the technical details Preziosi announced that the GP12 is a complete redesign of the bike that was tested by Valentino Rossi at Valencia, but said it will look very similar. The brand new Desmosedici GP12 will continue to use the aluminium perimetric frame and carbon swingarm, but modified, as the only components to actually remain the same are the forks and steering components.

An aim of the new bike is to offer a more versatile package depending on rider preference and track conditions, commenting on this he said: "We significantly changed the distribution of weight and the bike dimensions to be in the middle of the adjustment range."

The position of the engine within the new chassis will be more adjustable, but Preziosi declined to elaborate on the details regarding the changes to the V angle of the GP12's engine.

Preziosi explained that the timeframe for a completely refined race machine usually takes two years, from initial design to the first race, but Ducati are accelerating this process with 'forced steps' in what he termed a "courageous decision, but not impossible."

Commenting on the importance of a rider to the development of a bike, Preziosi said: "The rider makes a difference. Though we didn't contract Valentino as a rider thinking that he'd solve our problems, but to give us information, as he has won on several different bikes."

The new GP12 will undergo a private test at Jerez next week in the hands of Franco Battaini and Carlos Checa, Rossi and Nicky Hayden will have the brand new bike at the Sepang test in three weeks time.