Ducati achieved a memorable sporting milestone in Race 1 on Saturday by securing its 1,000th podium finish at the Mostl FIM Superbike World Championships. Championship leader lvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) ended the Italian manufacturer’s wait and won this historic feat in the best possible way, sealing the victory – his first on the circuit – with Ducati on the Czech track. On his racing debut.
Brand names past and present have reacted to this weekend’s milestone, including Carl Fogarty, the most successful rider in the manufacturer’s history at WorldSBK and the second most successful rider of all time. The British legend shared his impressions of 1,000 podium finishes and recalled some of his special moments with the producer:
“Ducati has dominated WorldSBK every year and it is hard to believe that they have not won a title since Carlos Checa in 2011; Panigale has not yet won a world title and came into the WorldSBK competition in 2013. You think of Ducati and you think of WorldSBK; what can you say? It’s unbelievable, to me they were the best bike and the best manufacturer. Now I am back with him, as an ambassador for the Ducati Manchester Group, one of the largest motorcycle dealers in the world. I’m under the Ducati umbrella, working with Ducati Week and Ducati UK, so it’s nice to be back home where I am, and these 1000 podiums are amazing.”
Fogarty became a legend associated with Ducati during his time with them, especially in the UK and Italy. He won his four WorldSBK titles in six seasons with the Italian brand. ‘Foggy’ signed with Honda in the 1996 campaign, but returned to Ducati in 1997 and took the title a year later in the epic 1998 season. In 1999, he continued to dominate, claiming his fourth and final title. However, his fondest memories come from his first title in 1994, as well as his famous British one-two finish in 1995. In his impressive career, Fogarty has achieved 100 podiums with Ducati and 55 wins:
“I probably should have won the title in 1993, but being a Scott then” [Russell] With my main opponent and the final round in Mexico canceled, I probably wouldn’t have won it anyway. I won it the following year, despite breaking my wrist at the start of the season, and at the last race of the year, halfway around the world in Australia. I just thought ‘oh my god,’ I couldn’t cope with losing him another year. It was very special, and then I supported it in front of huge crowds the next year, doing double takes at Donington Park and Brands Hatch in the same season, they will always be special to me.”
Fogarty’s career ended with Ducati without a farewell ceremony. His career came to an end in 2000 after colliding with Robert Ulm in Race 2 at Phillip Island, the second round of the season. The four-time champion continued to be present in the paddock, managing the Foggy Petronas team that achieved a podium finish in 2004. He currently serves as an occasional television commentator, following the competition closely and sticking to the brand of his greatest successes. ,
Congratulate Ducati on its historic milestone using the hashtag on social media! #1000DucatiPodium And enjoy the action of 2022 with WorldSBK VideoPass!
