Tardozzi: 999 is dead

Xerox Ducati team boss Davide Tardozzi has warned that WSB will suffer in 2008 if Ducati aren’t allowed to race their new flagship 1098 sports bike.

Speaking to MCN, Tardozzi admitted that although the move to allow bigger capacity twins in to the series next year is being openly discussed there is still no firm decision on allowing the 1098 Ducati to participate.

He said: “I hope the rules will change and allow us to use the new bike in 2008. 

“There is talk within the MSMA about a rule change but nothing has been decided yet. We need Flammini and the FIM to say yes. 

“In 2005 we said that the future of our top bikes will be to have a bigger capacity and I think that the Japanese realise that it must be done. 

“Right now we are at a big disadvantage and in 2007 we will continue with the 999, but this bike is dead – we don’t sell it anymore. 

“The reason we decided to stay this year was that we want to race the new bike in 2008. I think that the WSB championship without Ducati would not be the same.”