The spectacular event was organised by the city and provincial authorities, together with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer. It was the climax of a series of initiatives involving both parties, which began on Saturday morning.
Ducati fans and enthusiasts came from all over Italy and further a field to visit the factory and the museum, while groups of motorcyclists peacefully invaded the city centre.
On Sunday afternoon everyone congregated in the city centre square for hours of entertainment. Ducati Motor Holding CEO, Gabriele Del Torchio, got the proceedings underway: “This is a truly fantastic day. A square full of people like this needs no comment, and I don't think there has ever been a greater demonstration of affection and warmth for Ducati than this. Our clubs and thousands of Ducatisti have travelled from all over the world to be here and to celebrate this incredible world title with us. It is a really great day for Ducati and it helps us feel the love of all of our fans. After a period of 34 years the world
MotoGP title has returned to Italy and to ‘motorland' Bologna.”
All Ducati's stars were there - the Y2K Women's team, 2007 Superstock World Champion Niccolò Canepa, double World Superbike champion
Troy Bayliss and triple GP champion
Loris Capirossi. World champion
Casey Stoner was unable to be present at the celebrations following his crash during the MotoGP test in
Jerez, but he sent a video from Australia, where he is currently undergoing treatment for his damaged shoulder ligaments.
Official Ducati MotoGP test-rider Vittoriano Guareschi burst onto the stage with the title-winning Desmosedici GP7 machine to be greeted with rapturous applause by the Bologna fans, and they were then surrounded by the team and management, engineers, technicians and mechanics, led by Claudio Domenicali (Ducati Corse CEO), Filippo Preziosi (Director General) and Livio Suppo (MotoGP Project Leader)
“2007 has been a really crazy year and we needed a day like today to celebrate everything” declared Claudio Domenicali. “I believe that being here, in the heart of the city, all together, the company and its fans, is the best possible way for Ducati, whose driving force is its passion, to celebrate this title”.
Further awards were bestowed on the MotoGP team as the Mayor of Bologna Sergio Cofferati presented them with the “Nettuno d'Oro” award, not only for the results achieved on track but also as a sign of recognition for how the company is a perfectly integrated example of industry in the area. Casey Stoner and Loris Capirossi also received the “Turrita d'argento” award from the city of Bologna for their fantastic 2007 MotoGP season.
