Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/110408
VOL. 50 ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 20, 2013 patient and keep pounding the tarmac. It will be interesting to see if a little light new-broom engineering will unlock potential within the Desmosedici that hitherto only Casey Stoner has been able to find. One long-standing debate – whether there is a fundamental flaw in the Ducati's 90-degree engine configuration – appears to have been settled. Some thought the relatively bulky layout worked against the latest chassis design refinements, of centralized mass and a short engine/long swingarm. But Ducati insiders, including Rossi's crew chief Jerry Burgess, thought differently, and suggested that Honda's secret vee angle was closer to 90 degrees than the 70-odd of the earlier 800cc V-four. Spy photographs have revealed that they were right. The 90-degree Vee has many merits, and is integral with Ducati's DNA in the same way as desmodromic valve gear. Not so with Audi. The most likely outcome may be a completely new bike with a more compact V-four (possibly even monoblock, in line with established VW-Audi practice). And no desmo valves. With all technical rules aimed at reducing revs, and the possible future imposition of a rev limit, one of the beautiful but complex desmo system's greatest advantages has already been nullified. When will this happen? Got to be next year. Good for Dovizioso, whose naturally glum face gained a whole new order of grimness at the Sepang tests. But maybe not for Hayden, whose contract runs out after this year. Ducati's new B-team is grooming potential replacements – and with the American market foremost, if Ben Spies shows well, there's a serious danger he might take over the second full factory seat. Ducati will either get better, or go away. Policy will be determined by the VW Audi Group, and racing purely for passion has never been part of the zeitgeist. More to the point perhaps is a hidden advantage of the whole deal. It was actually Audi-owned Lamborghini that bought Ducati, and for the supercar manufacturer ownership of a motorcycle factory has an advantage on a legal technicality concerning European emissions and economy standards. Ah… nothing to do with the history then. CN P109 LOOKING BACK 40 Years Ago February 27, 1973 Muddy motocross boots never looked so good. Our "Great Cycle News Boot Test" was featured on the cover 40 years ago. Although we didn't declare an overall winner, the $59.95 Hi Point made a big impression with us… Bill Kain won the Little Harpeth National Enduro in Nashville, Tennessee… Tom Brooks, riding a 125cc DKW, won the Desert M.C. Hare & Hound in Lucerne. 30 Years Ago March 2, 1983 Jeff Ward was featured on the cover 30 years ago for winning the 125 Pro class during the CMC Golden State Series at Hollister Hills in California. Goat Breker and David Bailey were the other Pro-class winners… Larry Ward took the Mini A-class win at the first round of the Amateur Supercross Series that was held at Seattle's Kingdome… Husky's Larry Roeseler won the Moose Run Hare & Hound. 20 Years Ago February 24, 1993 Doug Polen won the opening round of the AMA National Championship Road Race Series in Phoenix and was featured on the cover 20 years ago… Jeremy McGrath won his fourth Supercross in a row in Tampa. Chad Pederson won his first 125cc main event… Danny Hamel and Ty Davis took top honors at the Adelanto Grand Prix. 10 Years Ago February 19, 2003 KTM's Ryan Hughes made the front page of Cycle News for winning the opening round of the WORCS Series at Glen Helen Raceway… Chad Reed closed in on Ricky Carmichael for the lead in the Supercross standings after winning in San Diego. James Stewart won the 125 class for the fifth time in a row… Brian Garrahan won round one of the AMA National Hare Scrambles Series at Hollister.