The countdown to World Ducati Weed 2018 is nearly over. The peaceful invasion of ducatisti – set to energise the Adriatic Riviera and the Marco Simoncelli Misano World Circuit from 20 to 22 July – is imminent!

World Ducati Week 2018 - Race of Champions

World Ducati Week 2018 – Race of Champions machines

The highlight of the three-day WDW for many will be the Race of Champions. Dovizioso, Lorenzo, Petrucci, Miller, Melandri, Rinaldi, Pirro, Abraham, Rabat and Fores – not to mention a champion who has made Ducati history, Troy Bayliss – will be the combatants in a thrilling clash on limited-edition Panigale V4 S bikes.

World Ducati Week 2018 - Race of Champions - Marco Melandri's V4 S

World Ducati Week 2018 – Race of Champions – Marco Melandri’s V4 S

Xavier Siméon, MotoGP rider with the Reale Avintia Racing Team, will now be among the twelve riders taking part in the Race of Champions, with the Belgian rider taking the place of the rider of Chaz Davies, who sustained an injury during training by mountain bike.

World Ducati Week 2018 - Race of Champions - Xavier Simeon's V4 S

World Ducati Week 2018 – Race of Champions – Xavier Simeon’s V4 S

The resulting broken right collar bone means he is unable to take part in the race with the Panigale V4 S. Despite the injury, Chaz has confirmed that he will be present on both Saturday and Sunday at the 2018 World Ducati Week and he’ll be ready to meet the fans and enthusiasts.

The twelve riders will throw down the gauntlet at 13.00 on Saturday 21 July. The race will be broadcast live on the SKY Sport Italia satellite channel dedicated to MotoGP.

World Ducati Week 2018 - Race of Champions

World Ducati Week 2018 – Race of Champions machines

The twelve competing bikes – all one-offs – can be purchased via a public auction on eBay. For the fans, that’s a dream come true: the auction will open at 18.00 on Saturday 21 July and close on 18.00 on Saturday 27 July. To accompany this special sale, eBay is setting up a Ducati Store with a “Race of Champions” theme.

Each bike features livery and graphics dedicated to an individual rider, with colour schemes drawing their inspiration from the bikes used in MotoGP or SBK races. A plaque on the steering yoke will show the rider’s name and race number. His autograph will be written in indelible ink on the tank before the race gets under way.

World Ducati Week 2018 - Race of Champions

World Ducati Week 2018 – Race of Champions machines

A certificate of authenticity, signed directly by Claudio Domenicali, CEO of Ducati Motor Holding, will give the purchase added value. Moreover, the bikes feature a series of special components used during the “Race of Champions” and a complete set of original parts, exhausts included, required for legal road use.

The special livery of the Panigale V4 S due to be ridden by Xavier Siméon has the number thirteen, the total number of motorcycles created for the occasion with dedicated graphics for each individual rider.

World Ducati Week's Race of Champions set to wow crowds, with Panigale V4 S custom race models to be auctioned off on eBay

World Ducati Week’s Race of Champions set to wow crowds, with Panigale V4 S custom race models to be auctioned off on eBay

You can receive regular updates both before and during the event via the new Official WDW App of World Ducati Week 2018. Download it free from Apple Store and Play Store.

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