Cycle News

Cycle News 2013 Issue 41 October 15

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

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P24 IN THE WIND There is a rule in the books that ing its banquet later in January, requires the Hare & Hound Series the AMA granted an exemption. to finish up no later than NovemThe BLM also agreed to extend ber 1, but considering the situation the club's permit for the race. and the fact that the AMA is hostFMF/KTM's Kurt Caselli has D ucati has wielded the axe on the top man in the team – and taken a damaging swipe at Aprilia in the process. While disposing of the Audi-installed German Bernhard Gobmeier, they poached his replacement from the top of the rival Italian manufacturer's racing department, finally luring technical director Gigi Dall'Igna to jump ship. The appointment of the redoubtable engineer promises to revitalize Ducati's flagging MotoGP fortunes; at the same time it brings to an end hopes of a high-level version of the current Aprilia ART, by far the best CRT bike. Gobmeier replaced Desmosedici designer Filippo Preziosi after the Audi takeover of Ducati last year, and oversaw a manifestly unsuccessful policy of slow evolution, including extensive retesting of previously rejected solutions. He moves to an undefined "prestigious and NOW WHAT FOR HAYDEN? PHOTOGRAPHY BY GOLD & GOOSE DUCATI GETS ITS MAN Aprilia's top engineer Gigi Dall'Igna is moving to Ducati at the end of the current season. strategic position within the motorsport organization of the Volkswagen Group," according to a Ducati statement. Bearded and saturnine, Dall'Igna is a familiar figure in the GP paddock, heading Aprilia's T op Aprilia engineer Gigi Dall'Igna's move to Ducati has caused a sensation in Italian racing circles – and a severe headache elsewhere, with a major disruption that could see Nicky already clinched the 2013 AMA National Hare & Hound Championship, but many other class titles are still up for grabs. Mark Kariya ultimately dominant presence in the 250 and 125cc classes; and more recently he has steered the marque to serial success in World Superbikes. In past months he has been working on developments to the ART, including pneumatic valve springs and a seamless shift gearbox, but budget cuts threaten the project and are thought to have contributed to Dall'Igna's change of heart – he previously denied rumors he was to make the move. At the last race, Andrea Dovizioso had urged personnel changes at the beleaguered Ducati Corse organization. "I am happy about the change because we need a big change," he said. New teammate Cal Crutchlow said: "It could be a good move for Ducati. He obviously does a good job because that Superbike is as good as a MotoGP bike." Michael Scott Hayden back on a Honda next season. Hayden had visited Aprilia where he was shown around by Dall'Igna, and was favorably impressed. At the same time, he continued on page 26

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