Ducati’s MotoGP and world superbike stars, plus a few special guests, will go head to head in a series of races at next month’s World Ducati Week (WDW), which takes place over the weekend of 20-22 July.

A total of 12 racers will compete in a ‘Race of Champions’ that will see Ducati MotoGP racers Andrea Dovizioso, Jorge Lorenzo, Jack Miller and Danilo Petrucci, going up against superbike teamsters Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri, as well as some guest stars including Australian legend Troy Bayliss.

The guys will take to the Misano World Circuit track on identical Ducati Panigale V4s to determine Ducati’s top rider, with a full race schedule including free practice and qualifying over the three days. In theory it’s a fun event, but when professional racers get together on the circuit, it’s rarely anything but ultra competitive…

It won’t be the only racing taking place at WDW, with Bayliss, Petrucci, Miller and factory test pilot Michele Pirro taking on defending champion Dovizioso in the Friday night flat track races. The races will take place on a 1000m oval, with the riders drifting through the corners on identically prepared versions of Ducati’s Flat Track Pro Scrambler.

As always, WDW promises plenty of Ducati-themed fun throughout the weekend, with loads of cool bikes, stunts, live entertainment and, most likely, a sneak preview of a new model or two. Ducati has already announced a limited edition (of 500) Monster 1200 25° Anniversario which will be seen in public for the first time at WDW, while a ‘viewing room’ is being set up to allow the Ducatisti a sneak peek at some new 2019 models.

It’s a long way to go, but if you fancy heading down to Rimini for the 20th edition of this most Italian of events, you can book at: https://www.ducati.com/ww/en/experience/world-ducati-week/tickets