Ducati CEO Gabriele Del Torchio opened Tuesday’s Wrooom event for Ducati, by saying that a new era has begun for the Italian outfit with the backing from Audi from the start of the 2013 season.

He touched upon the 2012 season, the managerial changes that have occurred, and mentioned the new direction the Italian outfit will be taking. The whole team was present at the 23rd edition of the infamous Ducati event, where Del Torchio welcomed new German Bernhard Gobmeier as new General Manger of Ducati Corsi, as well as new signing Andrea Dovizioso alongside Nicky Hayden


His analysis of last season commenced with: "Last year was important and of great change. A new era started with the Audi Group. This gives us confidence for the future without losing sight of our Italian heritage.”

"It was a record year in terms of business. We have entered new markets and we are now a truly global company when you consider that 9 out of every 10 bikes sold outside Italy's borders."

"In racing, things did not go well, and we suffered. So we decided to reorganize the racing department and incomes Bernhard Gobmeier as new General Manager of Ducati Corse. Filippo (Preziosi) has done great things and I thank him for these last twelve years. In addition, we welcome the return of Paolo Ciabatti (Project Director for MotoGP), and of course, continuing as Team Manager, Vittoriano Guareschi."

Finally, he gave a mention to the new duo that makes up the official team, and in which Del Torchio slipped in a little note to Hayden: "We are delighted with the confirmation of Nicky, but we expect him to do better than last year. Obviously, we welcome Andrea Dovizioso. Moreover, we have strengthened our cooperation with Pramac, which will now be supported global factory team and Andrea Iannone and Ben Spies are contracted directly to us."

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