Vehicle Description
Having joined Ducati from Mondial in 1954, Ing. Fabio Taglioni's
first project was to design and develop what became the 98cc Grand
Sport. This pushrod OHC single-cylinder racer, nicknamed the
Marianna, was designed to put Ducati on the map and in Italian long
distance road race events like the Milano-Taranto and Moto Giro,
the Gran Sport was victorious in both 100cc and 125cc guises.
However, Ducati's new Director, Guiseppe Montano, sought success on
the world stage and so Taglioni set to work on a new engine. With
bevel-drive double overhead cams, the resulting 125cc GP Bialbero
was significantly more powerful than the Gran Sport, producing 16hp
at 11,500rpm. This classic and faithful reproduction was rebuilt
for competition in 1980. The fairing is correct dimensionally and
contains an original Jaeger speedometer. Presented in restored
condition and sporting a classic red Ducati colour scheme, this
light-weight racer certainly looks the part. For sale by auction on
Saturday 23 September 2017 with Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands
Motor Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey, Call 01753 639170
