PSG-1 Kawasaki rider Chris Walker and Klaffi Honda team boss Klaus Klaffenbock are both struggling to understand why Ducati need an extra 200cc of engine capacity relative to their four-cylinder rivals.
Ducati are rumoured to be planning a mass produced 1200cc Superbike - in order to match the showroom performance of the 1000cc four-cylinders produced by the likes of Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki - and a recent statement by WSBK organiser's FGSport suggested that any such '(capacity) changes should be mirrored in the Superbike World Championship technical regulations.'
However, with Ducati currently comfortably leading both the World (Troy Bayliss) and British (Gregorio Lavilla) Superbike championships many - Walker and Klaffenbock included - find the prospect of 1200cc twin-cylinders a little unnecessary.
"If everybody gets a 1200 then I guess it'll be alright!" Walker joked, when asked by
Crash.net Radio about the speculation. "I really don't think anybody needs a 1200 at the moment - as long as the rules are changed to govern the bikes then I don't suppose it'd be a lot different - but it doesn't look like Ducati need to change a lot at the moment, with the riders they have on board."
"I've only heard the rumours but - from my point of view - it's not fair," added Klaffenbock, when asked the same question. "In terms of Ducati, they are strong enough right now and then to have a bigger engine as well... so, for me, the first impression is that it's not fair."
