Some Photos from the Scrambler Races at WDW2016

If you have been following Asphalt & Rubber for the past week, you would know I was just in Italy for World Ducati Week. A bi-annual gathering of Ducatisti from around the world, for three days the Misano circuit and surrounding areas are flooded with Ducati motorcycles.

The tagline for WDW2016 was “More than Red” and part of that credo is a nod to the addition of the Scrambler Ducati line, with the yellow-colored “Land of Joy” sitting in prominence at the circuit’s entrance.

With the Scrambler too came a new event for World Ducati Week, flat track racing, which featured eight GP and SBK riders competiting on Misano’s TT-styled flat track course. In competition were Andrea Dovizioso, Troy Bayliss, Tati Mercado, Davide Giugliano, Danilo Petrucci, Yonny Hernandez, and Alessandro Valia.

The racing was head-to-head, with a pair of riders battling against each other over three laps, from a staggered start of 100 meters or so. It was good fun to watch, and the crowd seemed into it. I only took a few shots from the races, but thought I’d share them with you.

Above “Desmo Dovi” on the gas, and on his way to a race win. There’s more after the jump.

Danilo Petrucci on his way to a third place finish – all the more of an accomplishment when you remember the injuries he’s contested with this year.

Getting moody in the garage. It was great to see the jovial and collegial atmosphere from the riders between the sessions…even though they all secretly wanted to be the man on the top step.

Putting the “lean” in Leandro “Tati” Mercado. The World Superstock 1000 rider gave a good showing.

Artsy fartsy shot of Dovi. The MotoGP rider has adopted a strong red, white, and blue livery for his racing suit this year. The blue boots were really popping at Misano.

The fine dust from the flat track sand ended up getting sprayed everywhere. Here, you can see Danilo Petrucci’s number plate got a bit of a dusting.

Post-race drift sesh with the engine banging off the rev-limiter.

Troy Bayliss found the cushion during his race in the flat track finals. I got to meet the World Superbike champion earlier in the week. Super cool and down-to-Earth guy.