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A new feature in the Aruba Ducati garage this weekend. The Panigale R of Chaz Davies has been equipped, for the first time, with a carbon lenticular wheel, similar to a hubcap, that covers the rear wheel of the Welshman's bike, tyres excluded.
We saw something similar at the Misano MotoGP test last year, when Michele Pirro's GP16 had a large circular disk, which led to various hypotheses about the possible advantages for the bike and rider.
There was a lot of curiosity about that lenticular wheel, with people thinking that is wasn't just a technical solution to improve aerodynamics..
Chaz Davies used the same technical solution during the Superpole, the difference between the classic spoked wheel and the lenticular one are clear, as you can see from the photo.
Melandri chose not to use this technical solution, while Davies completed several fast laps with the “wheel cover”, as it's called by the Ducati staff, who have brought it to Misano for the first time in Superbike.
Ernesto Marinelli was brief and to the point: “we're calling it a 'wheel cover', it's a large hub cap that covers the wheel - tyre excluded - in classic carbon material. It's used to improve the aerodynamic coefficient of the bike on the straight, preventing lateral turbulence and making it more incisive. There is no particular advantage through the corners”.
