The 1000cc version of the V4-engined Panigale Ducati will race in 2019
Jerez de la Frontera, Andalucía, Spain
Ever since the unveiling of the Ducati Panigale V4 back in November, questions have been circulating as to when we will see this beauty hit the track.
The revealed machine bore an 1103cc engine, but to compete in World Superbike it must comply with regulations, meaning the V4 race bike will be limited to 1000cc. The 1000cc race-spec machine has not yet been publicly released, and the Jerez test was the first time it hit the track.
Lorenzo Zanetti testing the Panigale V4 at Jerez. Photo: MCN News Australia
Coming to a race track near you
Earlier in the week, the 1000cc Panigale V4 took to the track for the first time in Jerez, at the capable hands of Lorenzo Zanetti, who rides for the Ducati team in the FIM CIV (Italian Championship).
Ducati set up a test team to take to the two day Jerez World Superbike test, which ran alongside the official Aruba.it Ducati factory team. The new Ducati will not be homologated and entered into the World Superbike championship until 2019, which means one more year of using the Panigale R.
The EICMA unveiled V4 will have to be tuned to a race-spec 1000cc for entry into the WSBK championship.
The official Ducati World Superbike riders – Marco Melandri and Chaz Davies, did not test the V4 as they focused on their 2018 race bike. It is thought that they will get at least one test on the race-spec V4 during the season, as will reigning British Superbike champion Shane Byrne.
For 2018 the factory Ducati riders will continue on their Panigale R's. Photo: Chaz Davies' Superbike
Reigning British Superbike Champion Shane 'Shakey' Byrne will also get a go, eventually. He too will stick with the Panigale R for 2018.
No lap times were officially released, but as this is an ongoing project we can't expect too much from the V4. Not just yet anyway.
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