Iconic 2003 Ducati Desmosedici GP Hits the Auction Block at Silverstone: A Hefty Price for a Piece of MotoGP History

2003 Ducati Desmosedici GP up for grabs at Silverstone auction, though it comes with a significant cost

This weekend, a genuine Ducati Desmosedici is set to be auctioned off at Silverstone.

In the upcoming Iconic Sale hosted by Iconic Auctioneers at Silverstone, the Desmosedici GP03 is listed with an estimated price range of £180,000 to £200,000.

Hence, likely a bit more than what you'd discover behind your couch cushions, but it's still worth a try.

The Desmosedici GP03 marked Ducati's initial foray into the MotoGP competition, designed for the sophomore year of the 990cc regulations that initiated the shift in Grand Prix racing from two-stroke to four-stroke engines.

The motorcycle achieved a notable victory when Loris Capirossi secured Ducati's inaugural MotoGP triumph during the 2003 Catalan Grand Prix, following an incident where Repsol Honda's Valentino Rossi veered off the track at the fourth turn.

As the years passed, the Desmosedici underwent several changes, with the Borgo Panigale team focusing on enhancing its strengths, like its velocity in straight paths, yet struggling to rectify its notable deficiency in maneuverability.

In 2007, Casey Stoner secured a championship, yet following this achievement, Ducati faced a victory drought from 2011 to 2015, during which time multiple racers, among them the noted Rossi, were unable to turn the Desmosedici into a consistent victor.

Gigi Dall'Igna's inclusion in the Ducati MotoGP engineering squad in 2014 paid off in 2016 when Andrea Iannone secured a victory, breaking the team's dry spell. Although it was Iannone's sole win in MotoGP, Ducati has since become a dominant force in the top-tier racing category.

Since 2019, Ducati has dominated, claiming every Constructors' and Teams' championship, along with securing the Riders' championships in 2022 and 2023 with Francesco Bagnaia. In 2024, the team continued its impressive streak by winning 10 out of the first 11 Grands Prix of the year, alongside victories in nine out of the first 11 Sprint races. So far, they've achieved 29 out of 33 possible podium finishes, including sweeping the podium in the last eight events.

The current supremacy of the Italian label began in 2003 with the motorcycle that's up for auction at Silverstone on Sunday, 25th August.

It features the complete original team colors from that era, particularly showcasing Capirossi's iconic #65, synonymous with the Italian racer.

Certainly, beneath the surface lies the 989cc V4 engine with a desmodromic valve mechanism, which Iconic Auctioneers claims generates over 220 brake horsepower. A 305mm carbon brake disc is installed at the front, although it's intended solely for exhibition. Additionally, it retains its original Ohlins suspension system.

The sole modification from the initial design is an updated ignition system provided by Magneti Marelli.

Iconic Auctioneers characterizes the motorcycle as "A highly practical model with easy-to-find replacement parts," and "A remarkable chance to possess a segment of Ducati and MotoGP heritage."

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