Dubai: Dario Marchetti, one of the world’s top Ducati riders, will make his UAE debut in the penultimate round of the UAE Sportbike Series at Dubai Autodrome on Friday.
The Italian, who has been in the UAE as chief instructor of the Ducati Riding Experience at Yas Marina, will race in the 1000cc class riding a 1199 Panigale R against the likes of championship leader Abdul Aziz Bin Laden of Saudi Arabia, who has won the past four races on his Honda Fireblade.
Marchetti’s racing honours include four national titles, the 2001 Italian Endurance Championship on a Ducati 996R, the 2004 Battle of the Twins race at Daytona aboard a 748 and the European Endurance Championship later that year on a 998 and 999R.
Marchetti said: “Coming to the UAE is always a privilege, so it’s especially exciting to be coming to race on one of the Middle East’s great circuits. Learning the track at such short notice and adjusting to it will be a big challenge, but it’s a challenge that I’m looking forward to taking on, and I couldn’t have a better bike than the 1199 Panigale R to do it on.”
Paul Velasco, communications manager at Dubai Autodrome, added: “Having a rider of the quality of Dario Marchetti participate in the series demonstrates that there is increasing recognition of the importance of motorcycle racing in the UAE. It will also make for a fascinating battle for all spectators, in particular as Abdul Aziz Bin Laden has been in such great form over the season.”
