Mechanic Spotlight: Mark Elder

Who: Mark Elder, Ducati MotoGP mechanic, one of four people responsible for the daily on-track function of Andrea Dovizioso's factory Desmosedici GP14. Born in Los Angeles, Elder is a graduate of Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Phoenix. He tuned Eric Bostrom to the 1997 AMA SuperTwins title and wrenched for Bostrom's older brother, Ben, in both AMA Superbike and World Superbike competition. More recently, he worked for nine-time world champ Valentino Rossi.

What: 1) 8mm T-handle; 2) D.I.D chain tool

Why: "If I'm looking for an 8mm T-handle, this is the one I go for. There's nothing really special about it, but it is well balanced and spins nicely. Most of the bolts on the Ducati are 8mm, so I use it a lot. It just has a good feeling to it, you know?

"As far as a special tool, our D.I.D. chain tool is pretty nice. When Valentino Rossi came to Ducati, his guys used this, so we got one. We break the chain every time we take out the gearbox, and there are weekends we do the gearbox three or four times. So we probably use it five or six times each weekend. All chain tools have the same function, but this one is well made and put together. It works really well."