BREAKING: Paolo Martin prepares Ducati MXGP team!
Since last year it became quiet around Paolo Martin in the MXGP paddock. Martin ran the Honda factory team for many years and led Trampas Parker to the 1991cc world title in 250. Now Marting Racing Technology is quietly working on a return through the big gate with Ducati!
Don't expect any major announcements for a while, but all signs indicate that Ducati has been seriously thinking about off-road for some time. Because now that KTM is increasingly manifesting itself in racing, Ducati wants to turn the tables. After 14 Superbike world titles, the Italians would have had enough of the SBK. From 2021, MotoGP and MXGP must become the sporting spearheads!
The fact that the Bologna manufacturer and parent holding company Lamborghini are serious is underlined by the team of specialists that is being assembled for this mysterious top project.
A name that is often mentioned here as a project manager is that of Paolo martin. Martin has plenty of experience and is eager to prove himself again. Partly thanks to the support of mega sponsors such as WinNow (Philip Morris), telecom giant TIM, computer brand Lenovo en Shell Martin would also have enormous budgets. In order to gather as much technical input as possible, Martin is said to have had numerous informal contacts with motorcycle gurus such as Jan Witteveen, Mario Illien, Johan Luyten and the mysterious Yoji Biomehanika, HRC's secret weapon, so to speak! Reportedly, Martin would also wave large sums of money in the paddock to pluck away the best talent here and there. So he would Marc Zalmstra (technical manager F&H Racing Kawasaki) showed a blank check during a secret meeting in the Kruidvat of Zaltbommel.
In the meantime, we also know with certainty that several drivers have the Ducati Desmachiato have tested. Ben Townley would have one at his disposal, but in the meantime he would have declined further cooperation. He told good friend Glen D. that he would “rather spend 10 rounds in the ring against Joey the boxing kangaroo than risk his life on the PK-breaking monster.”
Also from Eindhoven Brian Bogers we know that there were contacts with Ducati, but they date back before that Martin Racing Technology definitively won the Ducati MXGP tender. Bogers' Italian Marchetti team was also in the running for this coveted contract. Brian only rode a very early prototype once. He said the following about this: “Mass power, like hanging a jet engine under a shopping cart. But not a neat one from Jumbo, but one from Dirk with crooked wheels. That job where I had to test was also nothing. All very secret. Kind of local beekse bergenThey told me it used to be a zoo too. The circuit was wider than the A2 and concrete hard, with super vague bumps. I think I even recognized a jump that looked like the show stairs from Holland's Got Talent... And you weren't allowed to go to the back, because there was still a forgotten Poema family wandering around there.”
Who is still connected to the 2021 Ducati MXGP team is the American Josh Grant. Since BT's test sessions, major strides have been made in terms of electronics and 33-year-old Grant is very pleased with the potential of the Duc. Josh would have spent many hours in the saddle of the Desmachiato in both the US and Europe. The Glen Helen MXGP series winner has already revealed many details about Ducati's MX bomb to intimates.
“A thirty-minute workout is like standing in the ring for 10 rounds with Rico Verhoeven after someone are Johnny Doodle and Suzuki GSX-R1000R has taken away. Very unpleasant, but for so much money I'm happy to take it.” Mrs. Grant seems super happy because Josh is back in the shape of his life and is finally off the couch. “The Ducati already does jumping like no other. Or rather fly! Personally, I think a day at the test track feels like a Top Gun remake but with pit bikes on steroids.”
We couldn't figure out who is Iceman and who is Maverick. Although it seems that all-rounder 'JG33' has also revived his fascination with FMX. Sources close to the file confirmed to us yesterday that Axell Hodges would be recruited as Ducati's FMX ambassador. Finally, Grant would also be very pleased with the lateral grip of the Desmachiato. Less satisfied are Grant's 'gear people'. Kenny Day, the US racing service guy from Alpinestars knows: “No one complains about the legendary quality of our Tech 10s! Don't be careful with Josh either, but after a few training sessions he simply hands in his boots again. The soles then look as if a Tyrannosaurus Rex has sunk its teeth into them. Not normal. When I ask him for an explanation, he just smiles.”
Fly Racing also had to work hard for the Ducati test rider. “His demands are always becoming more erratic sigh Max Steffens: “First it was reinforcements for the knees, then carbon plates for the elbows... Why on earth does he need all that? Josh himself said that he is in an 'experimental phase' of his career. We have good will at Fly, but a mini-parachute built into the pants, where does this stop?”
Grant is not the only American connection, however. Through his niece Sofia Ferrari Coppola, a world-famous hairstylist, who emigrated to California, Paolo Martin came into contact with the incarnate Iron Man. Elon Musk He was not interested in an additional, long-term commitment besides Tesla, SpaceX, The Boring Company, Hyperloop, OpenAI, Neuralink, SolarCity, his five children and his flagging rap career. During a 33-minute brainstorming session at Cindy's Restaurant (1500 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles), Elon came up with some very promising avenues.
Musk concluded the meeting with the illustrious sentence: “My people will work this out further for you Signore Martin.” That was enough for the ex-boss of Evgeny Bobryshev and Max Nagl to realize that he has 'certified gold' in his hands, perhaps even 'double platinum'.
Since we couldn't get hold of Paolo Martin himself, we contacted his good friend and former Honda World Motocross team manager Lorenzo Resta. “Well, what can I say. Or rather what can I say? This is so big. Paolo's Ducati project could be the biggest thing to happen to motocross, after Hakan Carlqvist's beer stop at the Citadel of Namur of course!” When we ask whether Lorenzo will also play a role in Ducati MXGP, his eyes sparkle. “Bwah, I can't say too much about that, but I brought Tony (Cairoli) and Paolo back together. That was already last year during the MotoGP in Jerez. The wrinkles have also been ironed out on a personal level. They are very close to an agreement.”
An important factor behind the scenes is also the wishes of Ducati's mother house Lamborghini and Tony's motorsport sponsor Magnetti Marelli to further deepen the relationship with Cairoli. The nine-time world champion is already an ambassador for Lambo and would switch to GT racing full-time after his motocross career. Tony has already discreetly obtained information about Ducati Corse and their way of working. Bosom friend Valentino Rossi the Lommel Sicilian confided that leaving Ducati was his dumbest decision ever. “Certo! That reassured Antonio enormously.” Resta nods firmly.
“In fact, the entire plan is watertight. Two more seasons of MXGP and then car racing! By the way, it is also important for Cairoli to know that he has loyal sponsors such as Akrapovic, Red Bull, Breitling and Iceberg can take to Ducati. And that Claudius DeCarli ends up well of course. After so many years, he has seen it all in cross country. Claudio would focus on his art gallery “Pescatore di 1° aprile” in Rome. He started it last year together with Rodolfo Szuinzi (ed. founder of Mapei) and Patrick Lefevere.” Although Claudio would only act sporadically as a consultant, his son Davide will remain in post as team manager.
The new Ducati MXGP team would continue to operate from the existing workshops in Italy and Belgium. “No, to be honest, Tony and Paolo completely agree on almost all points. Except for coffee in hospitality, that's still a bit of a breaking point. Paolo swears by Alessi but Tony doesn't like that. That's a Lavazzaman through and through. I hope they can work it out. Tony just has to be able to win that 10th world title on the Ducati Desmachiato. Finally, such a fantastic project like this is also something that can give courage to Italians in these difficult times.” concludes the ever-optimistic ex-chef.
According to the latest rumors, this obstacle has also been overcome by the handy Paolo Martin! Or should we say by Tony's wife Jill? “Why not Motta?” she suggested with Dutch sobriety. A suggestion that both TC222 and Paolo agreed with. It is still unclear whether Motta will also become a sponsor.
There are now many indications about the identity of the second driver. For the second seat Jeremy Van Horebeek, secretly also a big road racing fan, is in balance with Dean Wilson. The fact that 'the Jerre' is not only fast but also speaks some Italian and gets along well with Cairoli certainly speaks in his favor. Moreover, the negotiations between Deano and Ducati did not always go smoothly. Especially because the men from Borgo Panigale hardly understood Wilson's hieroglyphic Scottish accent. However, Dean has two trump cards in his back pocket. Main sponsor Winnow would push for the ex AMA 250 champion and MXGP TV commentator Paul Malin would assist Wilson as personal manager. In understandable English.
In addition to the reunion with Cairoli, Paolo Martin would have a few additional famous surprises up his sleeves. Believe what you want to believe, but we have already noted the following collaborations in the corridors: a temporary Ducati VIP hotel during every MXGP operated by Paul Sannen, the launch of RACR as a brand of motocross clothing, a TC222 special edition of the Ducati Scrambler Desert Next and food for technicians: the German top brand Mahle will from now on also make pistons for motocross and enduro! In terms of suspension it would be between WP Suspension and Ohlins.
Martin contacted us again for the rubber Dunlop. A big surprise given Ducati's close relationship with Michelin. Dunlops Motorsport Manager Wim Vanachter it came out of the blue when we confronted him with this. “Paolo Martin returning to MXGP as manager of the Ducati factory team, with Tony Cairoli? And also either 'the Jerre' or Dean Wilson? May I ask who gave you that information? Anyway, when I recently went for a bite to eat with Paolo at The Jane in Antwerp, it was just a great meeting between comrades. No more. By the way, it is not up to us as Dunlop to confirm or deny this story.” However, we know better because as the saying goes: where there is smoke, there is fire! According to witnesses, both gentlemen were sitting close to the kitchen, or near the fire if you prefer.
In short, all elements point to unprecedented spectacular developments in motocross land in the coming months. You'll hear about it first here on MXMag!
Tekst: Max Decoster
Photos: RSCA, Honda Pro racing, Crossprensa, Ducati, Garth Milan/Shoei helmet, Magneti Merelli, MXJuly, PSlab
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