The MotoE 2023 world championship was presented in Vallelunga, 18 riders on the track, all riding the brand new Ducati “V21L”. Eight Grands Prix, two races every Saturday. Here’s how the new format works
March 21, 2023
The MotoE World Championship begins on May 13 with the French Grand Prix, on the Le Mans track. From this year the championship of electric motorcycles sees the Ducati engaged as sole supplier with the prototypeV21L”.
The Vallelunga Claudio DomenicaliCEO Ducati together with carmelo ezpeletaCEO Dorna Sports and representatives of the championship’s main partners presented the fifth edition of the “zero-emission tournament” to the press, which for the first time is no longer a cup but officially becomes a world.
In the Jerez tests the MotoE Ducati had impressedgoing much stronger of the previous Energetic. Last June we had been to the presentation of the MotoE seeing it up close and talking to whoever made it (video). A few days ago however Zam dedicated an episode of the podcast below MotoE.
Sunday’s words
Domenicali’s first comment…
“The decision to participate in the MotoE World Championship as the sole supplier of the bikes is a pillar of the Ducati strategy. In fact, electrification, together with the introduction of carbon neutral fuels for internal combustion engines (e-fuel), will be necessary to reduce Ducati’s carbon footprint and allow us to achieve our long-term sustainability. However, every true Ducati is above all an emotion, so it is very important to manage this transition with great care, taking care to maintain the sporty character and fun to ride characteristics of every Borgo Panigale bike”.
On the bike…
“With the V21L we wanted to push the boundaries of the industry pointing to most performing electric motorcycle ever made for the track. Above all, we wanted to develop the Company’s internal skills to be ready when battery technology, in particular weight, will make it possible to create an electric street motorcycle with all the characteristics that distinguish a Ducati”
Developing the MotoE represents a great development opportunity, like having 18 test riders…
“Having 18 riders on the track at the same time with different needs and driving styles represents a great opportunity for Ducati to study what it could become the character of a future electric Ducati. The first tests in Jerez went very well. Despite the not too favorable weather, the feedback on the bike from the riders and teams was very good, setting the new unofficial record of the circuit. Ducati has never built such a large number of prototypes and this too represents for us a challenge within a challenge”
The calendar
After the first official tests in Jerez at the beginning of March, all the World Championship riders will be back on track in Barcelona next year 3, 4 and 5 April to then officially start on May 13 with the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
The complete calendar:
1. Le Mans 13 May
2. Mugello June 10th
3. Sachsenring 17 June
4. Assen June 24th
5. Silverstone August 5th
6. Red Bull Ring 19 agosto
7. Catalonia 2 September
8. Misano 9 September
Technical data
The Ducati “V21L” prototype has a total weight of 225 kg (12 kg less than the minimum requirements imposed by Dorna and the FIM for a motorcycle capable of completing the race distance) and counts on maximum power and torque values of 110 kW (150 HP) and 140 Nm respectively, which in a circuit such as Mugello allowed her to reach a speed of 275 km/h.
“The V21L is the MotoGP of electric motorcycles – said Ducati -, it combines the electronic technologies and chassis dimensions developed by Ducati Corse with a design process and project management typical of a street motorcycle such as the Panigale V4. It is the union of the best skills of the two worlds, racing and production, a prototype with which Ducati experiments in a world yet to be discovered, that of electric sports bikes”.
Level testers
The 18 riders, supported by 9 teams, will race astride the “V21L” prototype, designed and built by Ducati with a development process that lasted just over a year with the contribution of the test riders Michele Pirro, Chaz Davies and Alex De Angeliswho in Vallelunga did a few demonstration laps on the Ducati electric motorbike.
For the Borgo Panigale house, this project was born with the aim of develop skills for your futuremaintaining the approach that has always fueled Ducati’s DNA: experimenting with technological solutions in the world of racing and working so that everything developed in this area can then land on motorcycles destined for enthusiasts from all over the world.
The format
Are provided two free practice sessions in the morning of Fridayfollowed by two qualifying sessions in the afternoon. The two races they will run on the day of Saturdaythe first at the end of MotoGP qualifying and the second after the Sprint Race.
A new format is foreseen for qualifying while the teams will be able to count on a completely new structure for the paddock.
