MotoGP Ducati Team Planning On Switching To Open Class

By Ajinkya

Updated: Friday, January 10, 2014, 18:36 [IST]

DUCATI in an attempt to change its fortune are planning to shock its fans. The Italian outfit plans to join the open class entry in a last minute effort to cut back ahead of the pack.

'Open class' is the new designation for 'Claiming Rules Team', according to changes in MotoGP's 2014 regulations.

Open class bikes are permitted to utilise 24 litres of fuel contrary to Factory teams' that are allotted only 20 litres. However, they must use the electronic equipment specified by MotoGP, Factory teams can develop and customise their software.

An added incentive is, Factory teams are restricted to five engines and no modification between a season. However, Open class entrants can utilise up to 12 engines, in an effort to support and better their technology.

The CRT bikes were at an advantage, owing to special soft-compound Bridgestone tyres in 2013. Bridgestone are still to confirm if they will go the same route for the Open class in the coming season.

Ducati had earlier planned for one of its four bikes to enter the Open class, Yonny Hernandez on the Pramac bike. Andrea Dovizioso, Cal Crutchlow, and Andrea Iannone would run under the Factory status.

Dovizioso told Italian media, Ducati will compare the 2014 bikes in both Open and Factory specs at the first test of the year in Malaysia next month. Ducati's Desmosedici has struggled to reach the MotoGP podium and hasn't won a race since 2009.

Do you think this will help in Ducati's future or not? Let us know below.

Video: Could You Ride A Ducati Like This?