DIRT NEWS

titanium intake valves and sodium filled 33mm exhaust valves to improve heat dissipation in high demand situations. Ducati has also leaned on its tarmac racing experience with the high-tech frame design that allows them to vary the thickness of the cast elements, controlling flex, tuning flexibility and helping create a ready-to-gas up weight of 104.8kg. Other frame bits are forged and extruded where that technology was the best fit. The compact design only has 11 individual parts, less than the rest of the competition but compromising nothing. Showa have been tasked with the suspension and that first race win by Allessandro was done on the stock standard units. Braking, as per Ducati’ s long-standing tarmac partner, is Brembo all the way, using Galfer discs. As for the ever important maintenance deal, piston replacement is set at 45 hours, along with valve clearance checks and total overhaul is set at 90 hours.

Paulin are chomping at the bit to get into the Carta Rallye in Morocco for the first time in April( 14-20). Botturi will undoubtedly be smarting a little after what was a spectacular challenge in the Africa Eco Race in January where the Italian was second by a mere 26 seconds after a nail-biting 6000km of racing. Teamed up with MXGP legend, Paulin, the duo will be racing the latest Ténéré 700 Rally GYTR, which will be making its racing debut, showcasing the bike that has seen a whole bunch of development put into it. For the rest of us, expect the timing of the new model to be announced shortly. For the record, it sure looks the business. The race takes in some harsh stages, including navigating sections of the Sahara Desert, so Gautier Paulin has been hitting the books to learn the art of Roadbook Navigation. The 35 year-old has speed, collecting nine MXGP victories, an EMX2 title and no less than five consecutive MXoN titles as a rider plus another as manager for Team France so it will be a change of scenery for the Frenchman and he is expected to adapt well to the wide open desert.

KIWI RIDER 17