Rossi's 1198 to be auctioned
The road-legal Ducati that the Italian superstar rode at Silverstone last month – by chance as it turns out – will now be going under the hammerDucati UK is to auction the 1198 that Valentino Rossi rode at Silverstone during the official launch of the new Silverstone Wing, with a donation from the sale being made to motorcycling’s favourite charity, Riders for Health.
On May 17, Rossi joined a host of motorsport champions from the past and present in an inauguration ceremony to open Silverstone’s state-of-the-art new pit, paddock and conference complex – The Silverstone Wing.
After the ceremony, Rossi, who missed riding at the British Moto GP last year due to injury, used the occasion to put in some practice laps on board a specially prepared 1198 SP.
However, the bike soon developed technical problems and Ducati UK stepped in to supply a standard road-registered 1198. The bike (still with its licence plate, indicators and mirrors attached) is normally used for customer demonstration rides, but Rossi was able to complete 30 laps on the 1198 to familiarise himself with the Silverstone circuit ahead of the British MotoGP on June 10-12.
Rossi signed the 1198 as a thank you to Ducati UK and now the bike will auctioned at Silverstone auctions to help raise money for Riders for Health. The bike will be displayed at the Riders for Health Day of Champions on Thursday, June 9, and then be moved to the auction on Saturday, June 11.
If you cannot attend the auction, telephone and commission bids are being accepted. For more information, visit http://www.silverstoneauctions.com/motogp-motorcycle-sale-2011.
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