Capirossi on his way to his...
Capirossi on his way to his second consecutive MotoGP win aboard theDucati that will soon grace some well-heeled aficionado's collection.
When Loris Capirossi won backto-back MotoGP races last September in Japanand Sepang, there was a feeling of elationamong all of Team Ducati when after only threeyears of racing they were finally able to dent thedominance of the Japanese marques.
A similar feeling of elation is likely to engulf thewinning bidder for the same Desmosedici GP5that Capirossi rode to victory in the Sepang racewhen it goes to auction at the second annualMonterey Classic Bike Auction later this month.
"Talk about rare and unobtainable," said GavinTrippe of MCBA. "Bikes that win a MotoGP raceare just not available anywhere, let alone onethat took the checkers twice in a row after also grabbing the pole in both races. What an amazingmachine!"
The Ducati joins a growing roster of dozens of collectible motorcycles that have surfaced since lastyear's highly successful debut of the Monterey Classic Bike Auction, which was held - as it will beagain this year - the same weekend as the MotoGP at Laguna Seca.
"The general feeling is that this Capirossi bike could go for upwards of half a million dollars, whichwould easily set a record for a motorcycle at auction," says Trippe. "But balancing that big numberare many fantastic bikes in the five to ten thousand dollar range - perfect for someone who wantsto start collecting these mechanical works of art."
Photos and pedigrees of bikes ranging from rarities like a 1929 Bohmerland and a 1923 "FamousJames" 750 V-Twin, to recent racers like the Desmosedici GP5 and two Suzuki GSX-R1000s fromthe Michael Jordan stable, are online at www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com. Also on the site areregistration forms for buyers and sellers, and extensive information about this year's auction takingplace July 20-22 at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey.
Importantly, bidders do not have to be onsite to participate. An easy-to-use online simulcast biddingsystem enables prospective buyers to bid in real time at their computer screen from anywhere inthe world. In fact, a third of last year's MCBA bikes were ultimately purchased by online bidders.
Information: www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com