Ducati

A complete marque study of Ducati, covering the wider company rather than the superbike dynasty. Traces the Società Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati from its founding in Bologna on 4 July 1926, through the repeated wartime bombing of Borgo Panigale, nationalisation, the Cucciolo bicycle engine, and the arrival of Fabio Taglioni — whose desmodromic valve system Ducati remains the only manufacturer ever to have produced in volume. Covers the 90-degree L-twin, the afternoon at Imola in April 1972 when Paul Smart and Bruno Spaggiari finished first and second against Honda and MV Agusta, the bevel era, the Cagiva rescue, and the Monster that saved the factory commercially. Includes seventeen priced models and an honest account of why Ducati scores second-worst on ownership of any marque we track.