Permanent exhibition at Ducati Motor Holding obtains the prestigious award for the fourth year running
• The Ducati Museum racks up a string of excellent reviews on the world’s greatest travel website
• More than 40,000 visitors to the Bologna-based museum every year

For the fourth year running the Ducati Museum has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, a prestigious acknowledgment given to tourist facilities and attractions that are consistently given excellent reviews on the world’s largest travel website. The TripAdvisor Award reflects the high satisfaction ratings posted by the constant stream of visitors to the Ducati Museum which, in 2014 alone, attracted over 40,000 people from all over the world. TripAdvisor contributors gave the Ducati Museum a score (4.5 out of 5) that almost reached the website maximum.

To select the winners of the Certificate of Excellence, TripAdvisor uses a special algorithm that takes into account a range of factors such as the quality, quantity and relevance of the reviews. It also considers the opinions posted by travellers over the last 12 months, the position of the attraction in the site’s popularity rankings and how long it has been in those rankings.

The Ducati Museum, actually located inside the motorcycle production plant, takes visitors into the past, letting them discover the origins of Ducati and admire the bikes that have written international motorcycling history. Inaugurated in 1998, the Museum covers an area of about 850 square metres and offers a unique insight into over half a century of motorcycle racing. The Museum showcases the very best ever built by Ducati: from the products of the pre-motorcycle era and the famous 1946 Cucciolo, to the Desmosedici GP that won the World Motorcycling Championship. This history journey passes through seven different theme-based multimedia rooms organised by Livio Lodi, the museum’s curator; here, the bikes live on with the thrills they once generated, thanks to vintage footage, accessories and curios, being able to recreate the entire Ducati saga. The Museum is thus a perfect representation of the Bologna-based motorcycle manufacturer’s unique history, which has combined technological innovation and design with exceptional sports performance.

The Ducati Museum can also be visited virtually on Google Maps: here, thanks to high definition images, it’s possible to enter the Red Passion Temple by following the famous Cavalieri Ducati street that takes you to the company and then exploring, right down to the last detail, the rooms and the displayed bikes. A fantastic opportunity to experience Ducati from anywhere in the world, anytime.

In 2012 the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities (Regional Supervisor of Cultural and Landscape Heritage of Emilia Romagna) declared the Ducati Museum, together with the motorcycle manufacturer’s archives, to be of outstanding historical and cultural importance, so much so that they are on the official archival heritage listings.

Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. - A Sole Shareholder Company - A Company subject to the Management and Coordination activities of AUDI AG

Founded in 1926, Ducati has been producing sport-inspired motorcycles since 1946. Today, their motorcycles are characterized by performance engines with Desmodromic valve actuation, innovative design and avant-garde technology. Covering several market segments, Ducati's range of motorcycles is divided into model families which include: Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter, and Superbike. In 2015 Ducati presents the Ducati Scrambler: not just a new motorcycle but rather a new brand, offering a whole new world made up of bikes, accessories and apparel that provide the last word in self-expression.

These authentic icons of “made in Italy”, together with an extensive range of associated accessories and technical and lifestyle apparel, are distributed in 90 countries around the world, with concentration on the European, North American and Asia-Pacific markets. In addition to the Bologna factory located in the Borgo Panigale area, Ducati has a plant in Thailand, which opened in 2011 and assembles motorcycles for the Asian market, and, since 2012, another in Brazil that assembles motorcycles for South America. In 2014 Ducati delivered 45,100 motorcycles to customers, an all-time company record.

Ducati competes in both the World Superbike and MotoGP World Championships. In Superbike Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers' titles and 14 Riders' titles and in 2011 passed the historic milestone of 300 race victories. Ducati have participated in MotoGP since 2003, winning both the Manufacturers' and Riders' titles in 2007.

LEON HASLAM ON THE SECOND ROW WITH THE SIXTH BEST TIME

Laguna Seca, 18 July 2015 – The Laguna Seca Superpole brought Jordi Torres his first front row start in a Superbike race. The rookie rode his Aprilia RSV4 RF to the third best time, giving the excellent work done since yesterday a concrete conclusion, with an apprenticeship that had him improving lap after lap on a track that he is tackling for the first time.

For Jordi this was a great opportunity. The California track is short, demanding and has a few places suited for overtaking, conditions that make a good start particularly important. Keeping up with the fastest is also the prefect chance to learn some Superbike riding secrets, gaining fundamental experience for a rookie in the factory derivative category.

Jordi Torres: “Being on the front row here at Laguna Seca is a dream come true for me. When I first got here I never would have even imagined achieving this result. Playing the video games I would always win on this circuit which I have always liked, but being third in Superpole has a decidedly different taste. We did a good job and finally I was able to take full advantage of the soft tyre. It is just a first step and my goal in the race is to stay with the leaders to learn from them, using the battle to continue growing and improving my riding style. This is a short track with only a few points where you can overtake, so starting out front is essential.”

A few indecisions, on the other hand, kept Leon Haslam from putting his best foot forward during the qualifying session. The English Aprilia Racing Team - Red Devils rider, looking very good in terms of race pace, had a small problem in FP4 just before Superpole. At the decisive moment Leon had to wait a few minutes before getting onto the track, so he was forced to speed up the usual programme in the 15 available minutes. Despite this, and in spite of a few mistakes in his two flying laps, Haslam was still able to finish on the second row with the sixth best time, a starting grid spot that does not jeopardize his ambitions for the two races.

Leon Haslam: “It wasn't a perfect afternoon. In FP4 a small problem cost us some time and even at the beginning of Superpole I had to stay in the garage for a few minutes. Then, during the two laps with the qualifier tyre, I made a couple of mistakes that kept me off the front row. It's a shame because grip was really quite good and we had the potential for a better result. Now we just need to analyse everything that happened today and set up the changes we need to make for the races.”

I can honestly say Farmyard Party 2015 was one of the best.

We had over five thousand of you loyal people turn up from all over the country to enjoy the bands, comedians, bikes, beer and fires. The Riders' Rights Marque was rocking all weekend and Jonny Awsum had people in stitches at The Smacked Arse Comedy Show. It was great to see so many people carrying the party on in Crusty's Tent too. Thanks to all the MAG volunteers – by all the positive feedback received, they did a fantastic job! For those of you wondering how the person airlifted from the site on Saturday morning is doing, we are told they are doing well now.

All the marshals who could stay for a well-earned bite to eat and some beers had a great night on Sunday night judging by the sore heads on Monday morning. The Farmyard strip down team worked like Trojans to get us home on Thursday leaving the site spick and span.

Well, moving on to Yorkshire Pudding... This rally looks like it's going to be another busy one. We have two tent with music at this year’s Pudding, we will have the usual big marquee with the bands and DJ rocking out on Friday and Saturday night along with an outstanding comedy show on Saturday afternoon. The Back Street Heroes team will be having the ride in custom show and the local ladies of Escrick will be baking cakes to raise funds for the children’s play group. The CMA will be selling tea’s and coffees 24 hours a day for those who need refreshment or just some company through the night. The CMA work hard keeping people warm and refreshed whilst raising money for charities.

Our all new small but perfectly formed real ale tent will have acts on both Friday night and Saturday night with the Farmyard Crusties regulars Scott Dangleberry playing Friday night and the Guiseley Brothers playing Saturday night. This tent is going to be a laid back affair with a chilled out up close and personal atmosphere.

Remember we have limited capacity on-site at Escrick Estate and that this is a ticket only event – so please book your tickets to avoid disappointment. Tickets are online until the 26th of July and by post until the 17th of July. All tickets are available on a prepayment only basis. Full event details here. 

As always, our events are held on behalf of Riders' Rights throughout UK and Europe. No Cars, No Vans, No Pedestrians, No Excuses

Whilst it's that strawberries and cream time of year and the perfect weather for home bike rallies, now is a good time to plan your winter rideaway! Here at H-C Travel we have a superb range of small group, guided and self-guided motorcycle adventures in some amazing locations.

To inspire you, we have picked a selection of 3 contrasting guided rides in 3 continents:

• Cape Classic Tour, South Africa in late October/November 2015 (last few places remaining)
• Kerala Tea and Spices Adventure, India in Feb and March 2016
• New Zealand On the Beach Tour, January and March 2016 (new tour date added for Easter !) 

Call us on +44 1256 770775 or email or visit  H-C travel and we will answer any questions or help provide further inspiration for your next adventure!

Jessopp, like Johnson, will be having his first taste of the Classic TT as he looks to expand his knowledge of the Mountain Course and the Yeovil rider showed his capabilities at this year's TT Races when he took a best finish of 14th in the PokerStars Senior Race. Competing at the TT for just the second time, the 29-year old also lapped at 128.461mph to become the 23rd fastest rider of all time.

Jessopp will campaign a TYS/CMB F1 750 for the team, a combination of Kevin Pearson's Team York Suzuki and Craig Brookes' CMB Motorsport. Brookes will be Jessopp's crew chief where he'll be assisted by new team member Rob Acomb and ex-Mark Buckley mechanic George Serc and newcomer to the team, Rob Acomb.

With sponsorship from York Suzuki Centre, C&A Brack, The Old Ebor Pub, York Digital Image, Maxcestay York, Motul Oils, Maxton Suspension and Race Products Direct, the bike is built around a 1992 ZXR750 Kawasaki with assistance also coming from Mistral Racing. The machine will be one of the most competitive on the grid in the hands of Jessopp who is scheduled to test the bike later this month.

Speaking about making his Classic TT debut Martin commented:

"I have been really keen to get involved in the Classic TT for a number of reasons, not least for the extra track time it gives me whilst I am still learning the course. The TT went really well this year and I think we should not be too far away at the Classic TT on the Team York Suzuki bike. I'm very grateful to the team for giving me the opportunity to get involved and I am looking forward to getting back to the Island in August."