WORLD SUPERBIKE
2015 SEASON PREVIEW
PREVIEW
P96
riders to challenge for the title,
however podiums are possible—
if a bit of an ask.
D U C A T I
A full-on direct factory team in
terms of machines, resources
and history, the 2015 season
may be the time of the Ducati
again. Now with Aruba.it title
sponsorship and partnership,
and still with two hungry riders
on board, the latest Ducati Pani-
gale 'R' should benefit from the
new tech rules. Just probably
not as much as the pre-season
hype has suggested. The stop-
watches say it's already fast, but
not faster than anybody else. It is
eight or so horses down on 2014,
due to rule changes, but should
get them all back eventually.
Balancing rules exclude
weight this year so it will be air
restrictor reductions alone, and
only if results dictate the balanc-
ing rules be brought in.
Privateer Panigale guys could
make a serious impact, espe-
cially in these days of available
and affordable top electronics,
which Ducati has to share a little
while after the factory team first
use them.
E B R
After a heroic (sic!) effort to get
ready for 2014, the Hero EBR
project was consistently out-
gunned and shot itself in the foot
too often with gremlins. And then
the chassis came with so many
quirks and non-conventions the
final outcome was a predictable
one. The good news is 2015 is
already shaping up better, for
bike and riders, but points will
Kawasaki's Tom Sykes looks to
redeem himself from last season's
championship heartbreak and take
back the title.
