Dario Marchetti, one of world’s top Ducati riders will be making his racing debut in the emirates at the UAE Sportbike Series to be held at the Dubai Autodrome on March 29.

Marchetti, a multiple championship winner around the globe, will take his place on the grid at the Dubai Autodrome in the 1000cc class, riding a 1199 Panigale R.

Dario’s entry, on behalf of Ducati UAE will see him battle it out with current 1000cc championship leader, Saudi rider Abdulaziz Bin Laden.

Owned and operated by Revolutions Accessories, part of Abdulla Al Masaood & Sons Group, Ducati UAE stocks the full range of Ducati motorcycles plus a large selection of motorbike clothing and leisure wear.

Bin Laden has enjoyed an impressive winning streak during the championship, emerging victorious in the past four races. The weekend’s racing will now pit Marchetti and his 1199 Panigale R against Bin Laden on his Honda Fireblade – a true battle of two of the world’s greatest superbikes.

Marchetti is chief instructor for the Ducati Riding Experience (DRE), recently running two sessions at Yas Marina Circuit, the first time the prestigious programme was held outside Ducati’s base in Italy.

The Italian has enjoyed a diverse racing career, ranging from 500 GP to Superbike races. His list of honours includes four national titles, the Italian Endurance Championship in 2001 on a Ducati 996R, the Battle of the Twins race at Daytona aboard a 748 in 2004 and the European Endurance Championship later that year riding a 998 and 999R.

On his UAE race debut, Marchetti said, “Coming to the UAE is always a privilege, so it’s especially exciting to be coming to race on one of the Middle East’s great circuits. Learning the track at such short notice and adjusting to it will be a big challenge, but it’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to taking on, and I couldn’t have a better bike than the 1199 Panigale R to do it on.”

Paul Velasco, the communications manager at the Dubai Autodrome, said “Having a rider of the quality of  Marchetti participate in the series demonstrates that there is increasing recognition of the importance of motorcycle racing in the UAE. It will also make for a fascinating battle for all spectators, in particular as Abdulaziz Bin Laden has been in such great form over the season.”  
 
The 195hp 1199 Panigale R is the absolute flagship of the Ducati range. Special enhancement to the Panigale R by Ducati Corse, the Italian manufacturer’s motorcycle racing wing, make it the ideal machine for World Superbike homologation.

By racing in the UAE Sportbike Series, Marchetti is aiming to demonstrate that Ducati’s flagship model is the best superbike on the market today.

Like all the 2013 1199 models, the 1199 Panigale R is equipped with the latest generation engine mapping and Ride-by-Wire calibration, further enhancing the Ducati Superbike ride experience.

As well as being the lightest motorcycle in its category, the flagship R model also introduces a race-oriented, 4-point adjustable swingarm pivot, titanium con-rods and a 500rpm higher rev limit (12,000rpm) in addition to a Race Kit of performance components, including a full Termignoni race exhaust system, said Valesco.

Ducati UAE’s decision to enter Marchetti and the 1199 Panigale R in the race recognises the importance of the UAE to the brand, he added.-TradeArabia News Service