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SBK, Bautista-Bulega: an opposite direction on the Ducati V4 at Jerez

Weight distribution, electronics and engine are the points Ducati is working on to beat Toprak and BMW. In the meantime, Alvaro and Nicolò are taking a different direction.

SBK: Bautista-Bulega: an opposite direction on the Ducati V4 at Jerez

The new Panigale V4 will arrive in 2026, but Ducati has no intention of waiting a year to take back the world title that eluded it last season. In fact, the challenge against Toprak and BMW promises to be one with a very high coefficiency of difficulty, and at Borgo Panigale they have been working hard over the winter to make the current Rossa even more competitive.

Marco Zambenedetti, head of the Superbike project, is fully aware of this, and in recent months he has focused on three specific aspects.

The first concerns weight distribution, especially on the Spaniard's bike. On this aspect, Bautista and Bulega have taken a completely opposite path on the Rossa. In fact, Alvaro asked for a bike much more loaded on the front, while the opposite instead is true for Nicolò, who preferred to weigh down more the rear of the Panigale.

Different choices then, due to different riding styles and also different sizes of the two riders, without forgetting of course the issue of ballast, with which the #19 had to reckon with last season.

In addition to weight, another aspect has also been worked on at Borgo Panigale, namely electronics, with the intention of having better performance in braking and the mixed sections.

Finally, the engine. As we know, starting this season, the Superbike regulations state that revs are unrestricted, so Ducati can go over the 16,100 mark. So over the winter work has been done to be able to extract some more horsepower, but above all to have an engine with more torque and be more explosive.

We will see if what has been done over the winter will help the Rossa and its riders to challenge the throne occupied by Toprak and BMW.

 

Translated by Julian Thomas

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