1607 RF final

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RideFast Sportsbike Magazine
AUDI DOESN’T PLAN TO SELL
DUCATI DESPITE DIESELGATE
Audi has no intentions to sell Ducati, not now, and not for the
mid-term future, Volkswagen Group CEO Matthias Mueller says.
Ducati is, for VW AG, a jewel, he adds, and the rumours that it
would be sold are, well, false.
Over the last month, rumours emerged online mentioned that the Volkswagen
Group would be allegedly looking for a buyer willing to pay what they demanded
in exchange for Ducati. Such a move was, reportedly, motivated by the need to
reduce the massive impact of the “Dieselgate.”
We remind you that Volkswagen was confronted with evidence that they had
altered the emissions results for a large number of cars, and are now forced to pay
billions to fix the issue.
Financial sources estimate that the VW Group could get as much as one billion
Euro (a trillion rand) if they sold Ducati, as the money invested by Audi in the Italian
maker led to an increase in the company’s performance.
From a maker suffocated by debts that reached several hundred million Euro to a
company that started breaking economic records never thought possible in nine
decades, Ducati evolved into a valuable asset for the VW Group.
Thanks to the business plans laid out by Ducati and Audi, and using the financial
support of the German company, Borgo Panigale appears to grow stronger by the
year as more and more models are added to the range.
Also, Ducati recently started to open up to the younger demographic, shifting a bit
their position in the market to reach more customers. However, even with a sale
value of one billion euros, this money would be rather insignificant in the big VW
Group picture, as the German giant is valued at 213 billion euros (a gazzillion rand),
so selling it would not exactly mean a huge step up in the books.
And with over 700 million euros (and growing) annual revenue from Ducati, selling
the company doesn’t make too much sense. Mueller also mentioned that Ducati
will remain in the Germans’ portofolio, with even better prospects for the future,
and the employees have nothing to fear.
GARETH LAVERICK TO JOIN
TEAM HYGENICA YAMAHA
RACING IN SUPER GP FOR
THE REMAINDER OF 2016.
The newly formed Team Hygenica Yamaha Racing
was created in the early parts of 2016 with the view
of running SA’s International Road Racer AJ Venter
in the SuperGP Champions Trophy. Team Hygenica
Yamaha Racing have joined forces with “up and
coming” youngster Gareth Laverick to compete in the
remaining 2016 SuperGP category. Gareth, the 2015
Regional Formula Extreme Champion will be riding
the teams second 2016 Yamaha R1 prepared by Ricky
Morais from Emtek Racing.
“I am pleased to announce the combination of Gareth
and Team Hygenica Yamaha racing for the balance of
the 2016 season. Gareth has not had an ideal start to
his 2016 campaign due to unforeseen circumstances
out of his control and now with the new team and an
experienced rider in AJ Venter, the plan is to help turn
the season around for the young 22-year old and get
him to the front where he belongs” mentioned Gary
van den Berg (Team Manager Team Hygenica Racing).
Further news on Gareth and the team’s progress will
be updated within the next few weeks building up to
the next SuperGP Round at Redstar Raceway on the
30th July.
“I would just like to thank all those who are involved
in Team Hyenica Racing for this great opportunity. I
am really humbled and honored to be chosen to join
such a #Lekka team. I cannot wait to give my all to
my new team and my racing career. I hope to be able
to represent the team at their level of expectation
and excel passed it. It is an honor and privilege
to be teamed up with AJ Venter. I see it as a great
opportunity to learn from him, with all his years and
experience as an international racer there is no better
mentor I could ask for. A big thank you to the team
for having the confidence in me to get the job done.
A further thank you to We Sell Parts for helping and
supporting me from the start of my racing career to
making this opportunity possible.” – Gareth Laverick
Hygenica Racing Yamaha would like to thank all the
sponsors involved with the team who make it possible
for all involved to be able to compete in 2016.
6 RIDEFAST MAGAZINE JULY 2016