Ducati Desmosedici GP8 Sat (Alice Ducati)

Engine: Liquid-cooled, 90 degree V4 four-stroke, desmodromic DOHC, four valves per cylinder.

Capacity: 799cc

Maximum power: more than 200hp

Maximum speed: in excess of 310 kph/192 mph

Transmission: Six-speed cassette-type gearbox, with alternative gear ratios available. Dry multiplate slipper clutch. Chain final drive.

Carburation: Indirect Magneti Marelli electronic injection, four throttle bodies with injectors above butterfly valves. Throttles operated by EVO TCF (Throttle Control & Feedback) system.

Ignition: Magneti Marelli

Frame: Magneti Marelli Tubular steel trellis-style chassis, pressed aluminium swing-arm.

Tubular: Steel trellis-style chassis, pressed aluminium swing-arm.

Suspension: Öhlins upside-down 42mm front forks and Öhlins rear shock absorber, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.

Tyres: Bridgestone 16.5" front and rear.

Brakes: Brembo, two 320mm carbon front discs with four-piston callipers. Single stainless steel rear disc with two-piston caliper.

Dry weight: 148kg

Niccolo Canepa's Profile

• Bike No.: 88
• Born:
• Place of birth: Genova
• Nationality: Italian
• Weight:
• Height:
• Class: MotoGP
• Team: Pramac Racing Ducati

Background

MotoGP rookie Niccolo Canepa is Ducati’s homegrown representative in the premier class for 2009, continuing the factory’s tradition of running at least one Italian rider in the category. The debutant is not merely making up the numbers, however, as he has proved to be a speedy competitor with the Desmosedici during his time as a test rider.

Coming from a racing family, with his father a former rider, Canepa began his career on the national minibike scene at the age of eleven, taking numerous victories. Three years later, on the day following his fourteenth birthday, he became the youngest participant to date to ride in the Coppa Italia 600 Superstock series, with the bigger bikes becoming his speciality over the next two years. During this time he competed in several Supersport races in the international series.

Carrier Highlights

In 2006 the Genoa-born rider finished second in the European Superstock Championship with the Ducati Xerox Junior Team, despite missing the final races of the campaign through injury. This was followed by a title victory in the eleven-round FIM Superstock 1000 Superstock Cup.

Canepa’s relationship with Ducati continued into 2007, when he took over from Shinichi Ito as the factory’s test rider. In addition, he competed as a wildcard on a superbike to keep in race shape.

The Alice Team garage is his new home for the 2009 campaign, joining Mika Kallio as both undertake their first MotoGP campaign.

Mika Kallio's Profile

• Place of birth: Valkeakoski
• Date of birth: November 8, 1982
• Nationality : Finland
• Weight: 56Kg.
• Height: 165cm.
• Residence Town: Monaco
• Class: MotoGP
• Team: Pramac Racing Ducati

Carrier Highlights

A newcomer to MotoGP with the Alice Team, Mika Kallio leaves behind a successful apprenticeship in the lower cylinder categories, although he was never quite able to take a world title.

His father was a top-level rider, and it was this influence that stopped him from following in the four-wheeled footsteps of some of his country's more famous sportsmen such as Hakkinen and Makinen.

Kallio won the 125cc Finish Championship for three consecutive years and has also been the national 'ice-bike' champion, a discipline which uses specially adapted motocross bikes on a frozen road racing track before taking fifth overall in the European Championship in 2001.

The same year he made his World Championship debut in Germany and earned a full time ride with the Ajo Motorsport team for the next season, in which he was the best rookie in 11th overall. The following year he also took 11th in the Championship, with his first podium in Sepang, having joined the new KTM team midway through the season.

Two years of success with KTM in 125cc gave him the runner-up spot in both 2005 and 2006, but despite the departure of previous World Champions Thomas Luthi and Alvaro Bautista he opted himself for a move up to 250cc. In his debut season in the quarter-litre class he won races in Japan and Valencia, and became a firm contender for the title in 2008.

A sterling start to his final campaign in 250cc put Kallio firmly in the driving seat, but a further two wins were not enough to deny Marco Simoncelli the title as the Finn´s form dipped. He now attempts to get to grips with the Desmosedici GP9 Sat as part of a more factory-supported Ducati satellite team, in his MotoGP debut.

Sylvain Guintoli's Profile

• Date of birth: June 24th 1982
• Age: 25
• Place of Birth: Montelimar (France)
• Nationality: French
• Residence: Romais
• Marital status: Married
• Weight: 62 kg
• Height: 179 cm
• Number: 50
• Web: www.aliceteam.com

Career Highlights

Victories in GP: 0
2nd position: 0
3rd position: 1
Podiums: 1
Pole Positions: 0
Fast laps: 0

Best position in the final classification: 9th (in 2006 in 250cc) 2002 in MotoGP – YAMAHA – test rider

2003 in 250cc – APRILIA – 10th
2004 in 250cc – APRILIA – 14th
2005 in 250cc – APRILIA – 10th
2006 in 250cc – APRILIA – 9th
2007 in MotoGP – YAMAHA – 16th

Sylvain Guintoli career in the 250cc category began in 2001 before moving the year after to the French MotoGP structure Yamaha Tech3 as test rider. In the following four years Sylvain went back to race in the quarter litre class as a privateer on Aprilia bike achieving really interesting results. In these four years of racing in the 250cc category the French riders concluded in the final classification respectively in 10th, 14th, 10th and 9th position, before going back to MotoGP. In fact, another great chance in 2007, when he is paired up with Japanese rider Makoto Tamada in the Yamaha Tech3 MotoGP structure. For 2008 he joins the Alice Team with the young but expert Spanish rider Toni Elias.

Tony Elias's Profile

• Bike No.: 24
  
• Date of birth: March 26th 1983
• Place of birth: Manresa (Barcelona), Spain
• Nationality: Spanish
• Residence: Manresa
• Marital Status: Single
• Weight: 57kg
• Height: 163cm
• Web: www.aliceteam.com
• Victories in GP: 10
• 2nd position: 11
• 3rd position: 11
• Podiums: 32
• Pole positions: 9
• Fast laps: 10
• Best position in the final classification: 3rd (in 2003 in 250cc and 2001 in 125cc)
• 2001 in 125cc – HONDA – 3rd

Background

Determination and aggressiveness have brought Toni Elias to become a MotoGP rider. His career began in 1999 when he concluded the 125cc Spanish Championship in 3rd place. In the following two years he built up his skills in the 125cc World Championship. But it’s in 2001 when the world recognized his true value, when Toni fought for the final victory in the category until the last race of the season, but a fall in the last lap ruined his goal to become the champion. After such a special season, in 2002 the rider from Catalunya began his adventure in the quarter class category with Aprilia.

In the first two of three years in 250cc, Toni concluded respectively in fourth and third place in the final standing. In 2005 the big step in MotoGP with the Yamaha Tech3. The year after he moved to the Honda satellite Team and in his first race of the season he conquered a good fourth position. In the same year the first historic victory in MotoGP for the young rider, with an unforgivable performance, in a battle until the last corner with seven times World Champion Valentino Rossi at Estoril. In 2008 a new adventure begins for the strong spanish rider, he joins the Alice Team onboard the Ducati Desmosedici GP8 Sat with Bridgestone tyres.

Career Highlights

2002 in 250cc – APRILIA – 4th
2003 in 250cc – APRILIA – 3rd
2004 in 250cc – HONDA – 4th
2005 in MotoGP – YAMAHA – 12th
2006 in MotoGP – HONDA – 9th
2007 in MotoGP – HONDA – 12th
2008 in MotoGP – DUCATI –

Casey Stoner's Profile

• Bike No.: 27
• Born: October 16, 1985
• Place of Birth: Kurri-Kurri (Australia)
• Nationality: Australia
• Height: 171 m
• Weight: 58 kg
• Team: Ducati Marlboro Team

Background

Young Casey tested his skills among the best riders in the world. He finished 12th in the standings, leaving plenty of room for improvement. Yet, you still have to give him credit for finishing just outside the top 10 in this ultra competitive series.

Stoner had an eventful rookie campaign in 2006. During the early rounds, it looks like Stoner just might eclipse Pedrosa as Rookie of the Year. His season included a second-place podium finish and a pole-position victory. That was the good news. The bad news came when Stoner developed a penchant for crashing his LCR Honda machinery. Stoner's DNFs didn't stop him from finishing a very respectable eighth in the title chase, however.

Casey Stoner has appeared unstoppable, taking the 2007 title in dominating fashion. employer overseeing his development, having switched from the LCR Honda/Michelin combo to his current factory Ducati/Bridgestone ride. Aside from stepping up to full factory status, Stoner should benefit under the tutelage of a veteran teammate like Capirossi, whereas he went solo during his rookie season. If a year's worth of experience turns the right switch under the helmet, Stoner made the jump to contender status in 2007.

In fact, with his Ducati and Bridgestone combination, the talented Aussie decimated the competition en route to the '08 title. Stoner even made Valentino Rossi look inept. An unthinkable situation heading into the '09 season.


Career Highlights:

• 2008: 2nd, MotoGP World Championship
• 2007: MotoGP World Championship
• 2006: 8th MotoGP Series
• 2005: 2nd 250 MotoGP Series
• 2004: 5th 125 MotoGP Series
• 2003: 8th, 125 MotoGP Series
• 2002: 12th,250 MotoGP Series
• 2001: 29th, 125 MotoGP Series

Nicky Hayden's Profile

• Bike No.: 69
• Born: July 30, 1981
• Birth place: Owensboro, Kentucky
• Nationality: United States
• Residence: Owensboro, Kentucky
• Team: Ducati Marlboro Team
• World Superbike Debut: 2002
• Grand Prix Debut: 2003

Background

Nicky Hayden was the young gun of the AMA Superbike series. Don't think for a minute that this good natured, always smiling kid from Kentucky doesnt have the heart of a winner. Winning is what Nicky is all about. Check out the Nicky Hayden Interview for a look inside the mind of Americas rising star. In his first full season as a Superbike rider he came within six points of winning the title losing out to arch rival Mat Mladin. 1999 was a great year for him though, he won the 600 Supersport title and was named AMA Athlete of the Year. Nicky is one of three Hayden brothers racing in the AMA and growing up together they pushed one another to become fierce competitors. Nicky does not neglect his roots either he can often be found racing Flat Track during weekends which the AMA series is off. Thats dedication.

After three seasons in MotoGP, Nicky picked up his first career win at the USGP at Laguna Seca. In front of his hometown fans Nicky dominated, led every lap and won the hearts of many a GP fan across the globe.

For 2006 the Kentucky Kid did one better, he claimed the checkers at Laguna again, but also netted the MotoGP title. To earn the championship, Hayden exhibited consistency and determination, overcoming a devastating DNF at Estoril, courtesy of his Repsol Honda team mate, Dani Pedrosa.

Going into 2007, the reigning champ had a new 800cc V-4 RC212V at his command. He also had a two-year contract with the factory Honda team, but Nick the Quick was under the gun to deliver another title and couldn't deliver. Now Hayden is ready for yet another year aboard the Honda, but can he regain his title-winning form?

Career Highlights:

• 2007: 8th MotoGP
• 2006: MotoGP Champion
• 2005: 3rd MotoGP
• 2004: 8th MotoGP
• 2003: 5th MotoGP
• 2003: MotoGP Rookie of the Year
• 2002: AMA Superbike Champion
• 2001: 3rd AMA Superbike
• 2000: 2nd AMA Superbike
• 2000: 4th AMA Supersport
• 1999: AMA Supersport Champion
• 1999: 2nd AMA Formula Xtreme
• 1999: AMA Grand National Dirt Track Rookie of the Year
• 1999: AMA/Speedvision Pro Athlete of the Year
• 1998: 4th AMA 600 SuperSport Series
• 1998: 4th AMA 750 SuperSport Series