Smart replica by 2004

Ducati’s retro-styled Paul Smart replica won’t go on sale until 2004 – even though it was designed four years ago. Chief designer Pierre Terblanche created the bike, which has never been seen in public, at the same time as the MH900e Hailwood replica, which was first shown back in 1998.

But spokesman Pier Francesco Caliari said: ” It’s not for next year. In announcing the bike we just intended to say there will be a follow up to the MH900e in that it will be a limited edition machine sold via the internet. ” The new bike is being developed to celebrate Smart’s win in the 1972 Imola 200, when he took the first victory for a Desmo V-twin Ducati.