Blue skies. 28 degrees Celsius. Donington. Things couldn’t get much better.
I have enjoyed a Ducati track day before. These always get sold out quickly and there is one more date later this year on 9th September 2025.
I brought my trusty Ducati 848 to the track and my brother-in-law was on his Multistrada 1200. Note: you don’t have to have track weapons for these days! It is a celebration of everything Ducati and another of our group brought along his restored 748 and a Hypermotard.
Rubbing shoulders with royalty such as Ducati boss, Fabrizio Cazzoli and MotoGP racer Michele Pirro was just part of the day.
As ever, a big shout out to the unsung heroes of the day. The Marshalls for Donington park; they truly are worth their weight in gold.
The morning sessions went well. Everyone building up their speed and confidence as the tarmac warmed; the real event came in the afternoon when I was lucky enough to throw my leg over the 2025 Panigale V4. This bike has had some criticism thrown at it over the double sided swingarm but the stats show it is better in almost every measurable sense than the outgoing model.
Wow.
What a machine. I have never ridden such a capable bike in all my years. On track, it was the fastest in my group. Whereas I was keeping up with everyone on my 848; as soon as I was on the Panigale V4, I was lapping my fellow group riders. It probably helped I was on warmed up Rosso Corsa tyres but the blistering acceleration and ability to tip the bike in, at any speed, to any corner just meant I could carry more speed than anyone else in my group.
Don’t get me wrong, the riding was fast but respectful. If you bin a bike belonging to Ducati, pay careful attention to the terms and conditions. You are personally responsible for the cost of repairs. On a £29,995.00 bike, it helps focus the mind when riding on track.
Would I have one? In a heartbeat, but for track work only. I am not sure having such a machine on the road makes any sense. You will not come within 2% of this ability riding on road. The speeds it can achieve and the ease at which it does them, is truly mind boggling.
After three sessions, it was time to hand the bike back to Ducati but I was pleased to do so. You’ve got to be fit to ride this bike hard. It will out-brake most things on track and you know it, especially in your arms and legs as you desperately try and hold onto it after a 160mph straight into a 25mph hairpin. One word. Awesome.
