Capirossi’s MotoGP-Winning Ducati To Be Auctioned At MCBA ’06 July 5, 2006 ­– When Loris Capirossi won back-to-back MotoGP races last September in Japan and Sepang, there was a feeling of elation among all of Team Ducati when after only three years of racing they were finally able to dent the dominance of the Japanese marques. A similar feeling of elation is likely to engulf the winning bidder for the same Desmosedici GP5 that Capirossi rode to victory in the Sepang race when it goes to auction at the second annual Monterey Classic Bike Auction later this month. “Talk about rare and unobtainable,” said Gavin Trippe of MCBA. “Bikes that win a MotoGP race are just not available anywhere, let alone one that took the checkers twice in a row after also grabbing the pole in both races. What an amazing machine!” The Ducati joins a growing roster of dozens of collectible motorcycles that have surfaced since last year’s highly successful debut of the Monterey Classic Bike Auction, which was held ­ as it will be again 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, which would easily set a record for a motorcycle at auction,” says Trippe. “But balancing that big number are many fantastic bikes in the five to ten thousand dollar range ­ perfect for someone who wants to start collecting these mechanical works of art.” Photos and pedigrees of bikes ranging from rarities like a 1929 Bohmerland and a 1923 “Famous James” 750 V-Twin, to recent racers like the Desmosedici GP5 and two Suzuki GSX-R1000s from the Michael Jordan stable, are online at ~http://www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com~ . Also on the site are registration forms for buyers and sellers, and extensive information about this year’s auction taking place 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 bidding system enables prospective buyers to bid in real time at their computer screen from anywhere in the world. In fact, a third of last year’s MCBA bikes were ultimately purchased by online bidders. Information: ~http://www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com~ Email: [email protected]