A short history of Ducati from Borgo Panigale
Ducati: the History of an Italian Myth in the World
A brief history of DUCATI
There are numerous books that tell the entire history of Ducati in detail, in this short article we will limit ourselves to mentioning the most significant and important facts to help you understand the importance that this manufacturer from Borgo Panigale (Bologna-Italy) has had for world motorcycling.
Ducati was founded on 4th July 1926 by Engineer Antonio Cavalieri Ducati and his three sons Adriano, Bruno and Marcello. They founded the ‘Società Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati’. This company, the only one in Italy, was involved in radio technology. The small factory located in Bologna produced a condenser (Manens) that was very successful on 5 continents. After only 10 years the small factory had as many as 100 workers. From 1935 Ducati also decided to dedicate itself to mechanical machining, starting with aluminium alloys. Also in that year, the company moved to Borgo Panigale (Bologna) where a very modern factory was built. Unfortunately, due to the Second World War, the factory was destroyed in 1945 following a terrible bombing raid. At that time Ducati employed well over 9,000 people. Ducati's production in those days was very varied: from the electric razor -Reselet-, to the intercom -Duofono-, the calculator -Duconta-, to cameras, jukeboxes, refrigerators. Then they looked at bicycles with the idea of motorising them.
In Turin, at the end of the world war, the Siata factory was founded, which, led by a lawyer, Aldo Farinelli, patented and began producing the Cucciolo. Unfortunately, Siata's infrastructure was unable to meet market demands and so Ducati purchased the equipment and completed the organisation necessary to produce the Cucciolo 48 cc. In 1946 production began at the Borgo Panigale plant. The success of the Cucciolo was resounding: 100,000 units sold worldwide. It was in fact Ducati's first motorbike product. A small 4-stroke auxiliary engine that could cover almost 100km with 1 litre of petrol! The auxiliary engine would represent the first step towards mass motorization.
In the years that followed, the Cucciolo would undergo numerous changes and technical evolutions that would lead it to equip the first numbered ‘light motorbikes’. Versions were already disparate in those days, ranging from tourist to sporty. We are talking about engines that developed a good 1.5 hp at 5500 rpm with speeds approaching 65 km/h. Thus began the unstoppable evolution of all motorbike components; engines, gearboxes, clutches, frames, transmissions, brakes would be the protagonists of continuous studies and innovations in the following decades.
Ducati immediately takes a special interest in the world of racing and actively dedicates itself to the development of this sector, achieving excellent results.
1948, the first victories in competitions with small Ducatis. In 1951, Il Cucciolo raced for 48 consecutive hours, winning 27 World Records and 24-hour records for the 100 class. By this time, Ducati was on its way: production of motorbikes always aimed at sports models.
1954 historic year, engineer Fabio Taglioni joins Ducati's staff. He will introduce the Desmodromic distribution system on single and twin-cylinder four-stroke engines. Taglioni would soon become Ducati's designer and lead the Borgo Panigale brand to unparalleled sporting triumphs that, with the help of great riders, would create the DUCATI myth!
Almost a century after the birth of the Ducati factory and 78 years after the beginning of the construction of 2-wheel vehicles with an internal combustion engine, DUCATI with its Races department has collected numerous victories in every category and championship
FORMULA TT World Championship 1-2:
2 constructors' titles in 1982, 1983
5 drivers' titles in 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984
World SuperBike Championship:
19 manufacturer's titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2022,2023
16 drivers' titles in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2022, 2023
SuperSport World Championship
2 manufacturers' titles in 1997, 2023
2 drivers' titles in 1997, 2023
SuperStock 1000 World Championship
4 manufacturers' world titles in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2016
6 world rider titles in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2016
Moto GP World Championship
5 manufacturer's titles in 2007, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
3 rider titles in 2007, 2022, 2023
3 team titles in 2007, 2021, 2022
All the riders who achieved world championship success have been and are still important for DUCATI. We would like to remember some of them:
Mike Hailwood, Tony Rutter, Pierfrancesco Chili, Doug Polen, Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss, Álvaro Bautista, Carlos Checa, Giancarlo Falappa, Loris Capirossi, Andrea Dovizioso, Sete Gibernaut, Casey Stoner, Nicky Hayden, Valentino Rossi, Andrea Iannone, Jorge Lorenzo, Jack Miller, Johann Zarco, Jorge Martin, Francesco Bagnaia.
If the Pilots have made the history of Ducati, the motorbikes they have been able to ride in races have made the history of the brand. Here are some of the models:
Ducati 900SS, Ducati 600TT2, Ducati 851, Ducati 888, Ducati 916, Ducati 996, Ducati 998, Ducati 999 (winning 63 times out of 120 participations), Ducati 1098 R, Ducati 1199 Panigale, Ducati Panigale V4 R (first 4-cylinder).
With such a rich palmares of victories in the racing category, DUCATI has built up a reputation over the years as a supersport motorbike. This prestigious reputation for sports motorbikes, however, penalised the other motorbike sectors of interest to the market. Supersport motorbikes also had to be flanked by models more suited to the taste of the modern motorcyclist. Here again, Ducati was able to differentiate itself by expanding its range with exclusive models of great prestige and quality that could meet the needs of every motorcyclist.
The Scrambler, motorbikes of great versatility, easy to use, comfortable in every occasion from the city to the trip of a few days. Equipped with the L-twin engine with desmo timing system. Offered in 2 different engines.
The Multistrada, authentic mileage-eating tourers. Offered in a variety of engines and equipment from the 950 ccm of the V2 to the 1,158 ccm of the four-cylinder V4 versions. Comfortable, agile bikes, easy to ride both in the city and on mixed routes. Also very comfortable for the passenger. Equipped with the most advanced safety systems that make it one of the best trail bikes on the market.
The Monster, sporty yes but naked. A range of motorbikes that are very sporty but very easy to handle, compact and fun by definition. They are offered with a single 937 cc engine capable of delivering an impressive 113 hp in several variants. They are also equipped with the most advanced safety systems as standard.
The Diavel, defined by Ducati as the Maxi Sport naked Muscle Cruiser. What to add to this description? Just see them and you'll understand everything. 1,158 cc V4 engine with 168 hp. Offered in different variants.
The Hypermotard, synonymous with pure adrenaline. Born for extreme fun, fun-bikes. They are offered in two 950 cc engines and the brand new mono superquadro 698, 659 cc desmo engine capable of delivering an impressive 84.5 hp at 10,250 rpm. Record-breaking performance.
Photos: Motociclismo-Edisport Editoriale spa
The Desert X, a real breakthrough for the manufacturer from Borgo Panigale. They are the bikes for great adventures. Motorbikes capable of reaching any place offering comfort, fun and performance. Considered motorbikes for many but not for everyone. Great road skills, great off-road skills that you have to know how to exploit.
937ccm for 110hp, specific off-road chassis, equipped with the most modern electronic systems are offered with a single engine but in different variants.
The Streetfighters, high-performance naked bikes offered in two different engine variants: the 153hp 955ccm V2 and the 208hp Desmosedici V4.
The SuperSport, sporty road bikes with a 950 Testastretta engine. Easy and safe, they are reminiscent of track bikes. Fun and comfortable at the same time. 110hp for 205kg.
The Panigale, these bikes offered in different engines, powers and versions represent the essence of Ducati. They encapsulate the past, present and future of Ducati. These bikes are considered by all enthusiasts in this segment to be the top of the market and all the successes in competitions prove it. Marvels of technique, style, performance and sophistication.
And as always, from competitions come innovations and technical improvements that are then carried over to the models that everyone can find on the market. Ducati motorbikes are born from important engineering traditions that have evolved over time, giving the everyday user years of experience both in the technical field of engines, chassis, electronics, study of materials, but also in style and design, making them the most beautiful motorbikes in the world.
Some of these fabulous models you can try out on the fantastic roads of the island of Majorca by hiring them from us at MMR22. We will be able to give you the best
DUCATI EXPERIENCE IN MALLORCA!
Photos: Motociclismo-Edisport Editoriale spa 
