1098 rule change nearer

The boss of Ducati has revealed that a rule change to officially allow the bike to race in World Superbikes could be a step closer.

Ducati President and CEO Federico Minoli has called again for an official move to allow the new bike – which is 99cc over the current class capacity limit – to compete in WSB. But he has said talks between Ducati and FG Sport which run the series were progressing.

Meetings last year saw the subject addressed – but not formalised by a rule change.

The way it was left, organisers effectively gave it their approval on the basis that it would be reflecting changes in the roadbike market, but for a rule change to be made rival manufacturers and the FIM would have to approve. Minoli said: “We have been in talks with the organisers of World Superbikes and are fairly confident that we will be able to race the 1098.

“The 1098 is clearly a road bike made by our factory. If the championship is going to be true to its name then we should be able to use them in the series.”

To counterbalance a 10 per cent capacity increase, Ducati have said they should be held to the same restrictive tuning rules as the four-cylinder manufacturers are.

At present, Ducati are allowed to tune their 999 V-twins to a far higher level.

The 1098 will be making its debut appearance in British and World Superstock this year.