Ducati’s GP12 unlikely to repeat 2007 dominance

Ducati is unlikely to replicate its domination of MotoGP after the last time the premier class instigated a major rule change back in 2007.

When engine capacity was reduced from 990cc to 800cc, Ducati crushed its Japanese rivals with the GP7 winning 11 races and Casey Stoner romped to the world title.

MotoGP will switch to a 1000cc capacity limit in 2012 but Valentino Rossi’s crew chief Jerry Burgess isn’t anticipating a repeat of Ducati’s unrivalled success of four years ago.

Rossi and Nicky Hayden have already completed their first shakedown test on the new GP12 in Jerez last month and Burgess told MCN: “Valentino and Nicky were fairly happy with the bike and it was a good first test but it’s no good being happy about that now because we haven’t seen what the others are wheeling out.

“I’m playing my cards close to my chest when it comes to singing praises about anything but we’ve been at that 1000cc area before, so I don’t think you’ll see the quantum leap that Ducati made the last time we changed the category.”