The team will contest the Championship onboard the new Ducati 1199 Panigale with riders Scotsman Kevin Coghlan and Russian Alexei Ivanov. Coghlan joins the team for the first time having previously competed in Moto 2, whilst team mate Alexi Ivanov is in his second season with the team having raced in 2011 in both the Ducati 848 Challenge and CEV Moto 2.
Ducati Manchester has been a Ducati dealer since 2000 and has past experience in racing having won the Macau GP back in 2002 with Michael Rutter, but is their first foray into World Superstock.
Chris Booth, Director of Ducati Manchester commented on the season ahead, ‘we are excited to be back in the racing scene on a world level, we have invested heavily into our infrastructure and team and believe we have a very good chance of being competitive in the Superstock championship with the 1199 Panigale and the support we are receiving from Ducati UK and Ducati Corse.
The team have carried out initial pre-season tests at Aragon and Kevin Coghlan was impressed with his first time out on the 1199 Panigale, “the bike feels really good, it handles and feels like a 600 but with obviously a lot more power, it’s a great bike and I can’t wait for the season to start”
As well as DMC’s venture on to the world scene they will continue to race domestically with the Ducati 848 Challenge. Robbie Brown will again be their rider, looking to take the title this year after finishing 3rd last year.
Director Chris Booth commented “the 848 challenge is important to DMC and we will be looking to win the Championship this year, which looks like it will be the best yet with much new talent entering and greater strength and depth. Despite this we have great faith in Robbie and we hope that he can take title this year.”
The first round of the FIM Superstock 1000 Cup takes place at Imola on April 1st and the 848 Challenge starts off at Brands Hatch on the 9th April.
