Bikes

Image Gallery: 2015 Ducati Desmosedici GP15

Ducati unveils the new MotoGP machine that Andrea Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone will ride in the 2015 MotoGP series

February 16, 2015

“The Desmosedici GP15 that will make its debut in the next test in Malaysia is a completely new bike," says Gigi Dall'Igna. "Different to the one we used two weeks ago in Sepang, even though certain aspects of the aerodynamics are quite similar. With the GP14.3 we have made some major progress with the software, which will be easy to switch over to the GP15, but also steps forward in the suspension, chassis and engine departments. The GP15 will start with the same settings as the GP14.3, but it will have many more possibilities for adjustment."

Andrea Iannone's GP15. "I have already established an excellent rapport with my team of technicians and mechanics, which enabled me to go immediately well with the Desmosedici GP14.3 in the recent tests at Sepang. Now we are back in action in Malaysia for the penultimate tests before the start of the season, and I’ll ride the GP15 for the first time, in the knowledge that at the start we’re going to have to work hard to make the bike competitive."

The GP15 that Andrea Dovizioso will race this year. "I am very happy with the improvements that we managed to achieve last year and so, with this new project, I can only be optimistic for the com-ing season. I expect a lot of support from the Ducati fans this season: we have worked a lot and well in the last couple of years and now it’s time to reap the benefits.”

The Desmosedici GP15's engine is a 90-degree four-cylinder with evo desmodromic valve actuation. Displacement is 1000cc, and Ducati claims "over 240" horsepower. The engine in the GP15 is rotated rearward in the chassis significantly compared to the GP14.

The exhaust system is manufactured by Akrapovic. The engine has a Ducati Seamless Transmission and throttles operated by a new EVO Throttle Control & Feedback system, controlled by a Magneti Marelli ECU programmed with Ducati's factory software.

Suspension consists of an Ohlins 48mm inverted front fork and an Ohlins shock absorber; Brembo brakes are used, with 320 or 340mm front discs depending on the track; dry weight is claimed to be 348 pounds.

Ducati claims a maximum speed of "over 340 km/h (211 mph)." "Our aim this year is very ambitious," says Dall'Igna, "because we want to win at least one race. We know that it is an extremely tough objective, but we are used to accepting the most difficult of challenges. Last year we said that we wanted to reduce the gap to the winner to less than ten seconds. This was also an ambitious challenge, but we achieved it in the second half of the championship."

Ducati unveiled its all-new Gigi Dall'Igna-designed Desmosedici GP15 in Bologna today. The new bike is substantially different from the several versions of GP14 the factory used last year. Scroll through the gallery above to see more images of the new bike and find out more details of the changes.