BEST PICS: All the WorldSBK Ducati models on display…
Take a look in detail at the photos and relive some of the most iconic motorcycles to race in WorldSBK!
Ducati have been a huge part in creating magical WorldSBK moments, with names such as Carl Fogarty, Troy Bayliss and Doug Polen all achieving multiple Championships. But the bikes they were riding are often forgotten so in this feature, it’s time to look at the nine WorldSBK Ducati models that have graced the fastest production-based Championship in the world.
Starting with the first five years of WorldSBK, two models appeared: the Ducati 851 and the 888. Raymond Roche brought the first model to Championship success in 1990, whilst it was Doug Polen who carried on the winning streak in 1991 and 1992. 1993 saw Carl Fogarty lead the Championship charge aboard the 888, missing out to Kawasaki and Scott Russell. However, bigger things were to come for Ducati from 1994 as ‘Foggy’ took his and the 916’s first World Championship title.
1995 would be Ducati domination, with Fogarty, rookie Troy Corser, Mauro Lucchiari and Pierfrancesco Chili taking victories, whilst Fogarty and Corser secured a 1-2 in the standings. The bike won a third consecutive title in 1996 after a stellar season from Troy Corser, before Honda struck back in 1997, despite numerous wins for Ducati. Evolutions would follow in 1998, with 996 taking a title with Fogarty before he repeated it the following season. Various versions of the 996 and the 998 made appearances in WorldSBK with great success.
Into the new millennium, wins came in 2000 before Troy Bayliss won the Championship in 2001. Runner-up in 2002 aboard the 998 preceded the new 999 F03. Neil Hodgson took the title in 2003 before James Toseland backed it up in 2004 on the all-new 999 F04, conquering to finish 1-2 in the title race with Regis Laconi. The next title came in 2006 before in 2008, the new 1098 was once again winning with Bayliss. Carlos Checa took Ducati’s most recent Riders’ Championship success in 2011, before the Panigale came along in 2013 in V-twin form. 2019 welcomed a change for Ducati, moving to a four-cylinder bike in the Panigale V4 R. 2020 saw the machine finish runner-up again but with a young line-up for 2021, will the Bologna manufacturer finally take the WorldSBK crown?
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