From a press release issued by Ducati North America: Cupertino, CA (12 March 2008) The first round of the Ducati Superbike Concorso, a competition for owners of exceptional Ducati Superbikes, took place at Daytona International Speedway this past Friday. Held in conjunction with the popular Ducati Day Daytona festival, the first round of the Superbike Concorso attracted some of the best Ducati motorcycles in the country. Seventeen bikes came to Daytona vying for six class prizes and a “Ducatisti Trip of a Lifetime” to the Ducati factory in Bologna, followed by the EICMA International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan. Entrants came from as far as Maine and Colorado to enjoy the festivities and see how their bikes stacked up against the competition. When the dust settled, the winners in each category were as follows: Ducati Passion Award for Superbikes ridden to the event: John Avelluto (2005 Ducati 999) and James Wilde (2007 Ducati 1098) who rode in together from Kansas City. Bella Ducati Award for Superbikes of extraordinary external beauty: James Dillard Jr. (1987 Ducati 750F1 Laguna Seca) Casey Stoner Award for current model Superbikes: Kevin Mendez (2007 Ducati 1098 “Xerox Replica”) Troy Bayliss Award for 1988 – 2007 Superbikes: S. Brian Meserlian (2005 Ducati 749R) Cook Neilson Award for Pre-1988 Superbikes: Peter Calles (1977 Ducati 900SS) Taglioni Award for Competition Superbikes: Chris Boy (2000 Ducati 996RS) The grand prize winner of a trip for two to the Milan Motorcycle Show and the Ducati Factory was Douglas Frederick and Ann Cederna; for their immaculate 1998 Ducati 996 RS. This beautiful orange Ducati was ridden by Troy Bayliss in the British Superbike championship and restored by John Hackett in England. Enthusiasts are encouraged to visit www.ducatisuperbikeconcorso.com to learn more about the competition, and enter the pride of their garage. The next round of the Concorso will be held online beginning April 7th.