2011 Pramac Racing team presentation, Love Boat style

While most teams do their yearly presentations at hotels or discos, except for the Ducati MotoGP team who does it from the mountains of the Dolomites, bringing in the bikes with helicopters or displaying them inside giant ice cubes, the Pramac team used one of the biggest cruise ships in Europe, the MSC Fantasia as their presentation venue.

Pramac officially presented Loris Capirossi and Randy de Puniet and their liveried GP11 Ducati with the two riders arriving at the port of Genoa on a Hypermotard and Monster with Pramac colors to start the team’s 10th season in MotoGP.

“I spent five seasons with Ducati, to return three years later to it’s for me like coming back to my family.
For me to run with the Pramac Racing Team means the certainty of being able to get good results,” said the ever optimistic Loris Capirossi.
“I have not reflected a moment when I was asked to return to Ducati.
In a few days we will be back on track in better shape for the second session of testing at Sepang.

We surely need to improve in some aspects but we were happy after the first winter test.
For example, I found some difficulty in braking and the riding during corners, but the simple fact that we have improved our lap times constantly it means that we are on the right direction.
Then with Randy on the team will be much easier.
Between us there is great harmony.
It ’s the perfect companion to this adventure in Ducati.
My story in MotoGP is not over yet.
I think I can give so much more to this category, regardless of the new rules.
” Randy De Puniet:“I am happy with this new adventure in Ducati.
I am back ‘Italian’ again, as in the past I have already ridden an Italian bike.
I really enjoyed riding with my Ducati, even if sometimes it is still a bit hard to control, especially when cornering.
Last year, despite the bad leg injury, I have achieved good results.
Now the most important thing for me is knowing that the leg has not given me any problems and in these first tests I was able to push hard.
The goal is certainly to be repeated this season.
With my work and my engineers we are confident that this goal is easily attainable.
Already in a few days we will face a new test in Sepang and I am sure that we can already improve our results.
“MotoGP for Pramac means adrenaline, passion and fun,” said Paolo Campinoti, Pramac Racing Team Principal.
“For ten years we are part of this world and we aim to stay here for many years.
We’re still a young and want to grow year after year to improve both in terms of results and in terms of services for our partners.
For the season that is about to begin, we focused on top class riders like Loris Capirossi and Randy de Puniet.
We are sure that thanks to their talent we will have many opportunities to celebrate at the best our first ten years in MotoGP.
We know that fighting with the official teams will be very tough: our minimum goal for this season is to become the first satellite team in the standings.
Next year, with the return to 1000cc, will be a new adventure for everyone and we will see what will happen.
If this change will bring us to attend events such as the new Moto2 last year, then it will be fun for everyone.
Our philosophy of Green Energy Team continues and even become stronger.
Next year we will have a completely new hospitality structure with big news: it will, in fact, be powered by solar panels and a wind turbine.
Of course all made by Pramac.
”Claudio Domenicali – CEO Ducati Corse“Our relationship with the Pramac Pramac Racing has been very good since the early years.
We are very comfortable with Paolo Campinoti and its structure, and we hope to continue this project for many years.
The Pramac Racing is indeed a satellite team, but given the relationship we have enjoyed over the years we try to give more and more support to them.
Surely we consider the Pramac Racing Team part of our family, some of our best engineers are working within their structure and so it will be in the future.
The return to 1000cc will be a great adventure for us and as always we will give it all to ensure that our Ducati, including those in the Pramac Racing Team, will be among the best bikes.
”Federico Maccotta, MSC Crociere Area Manager (Lombardy)“The official presentation of the Pramac Racing Team with his new riders and the new Ducati jewel it seemed like a good opportunity to remind all of us the value of teamwork as an ideal method to achieve its objectives.
MSC Fantasia, which is recognized by all as one of the most beautiful ships in the world, with its 1,400 crew members who work every day as a team to meet the needs of the 4,000 guests on board is therefore the ideal location for such an event.
See the Ducati GP11 Sat and its riders on board of one of our ships is certainly an exciting.
From MSC Cruises a big ‘good luck’ to Loris, Randy and all the Pramac Racing Team.
”For those of you who have never taken a cruise on one of MSC’s cruise ship here’s some info and you can hit this link for a virtual tour.
MSC Fantasia, which together with her sister ship MSC Splendida, is the largest ship ever commissioned by a European ship owner.
The ship – a masterpiece of Italian style with the perfect mix of high technology, elegance and exclusive services – has a very nice in every detail and is equipped with swimming pools, bars, restaurants, areas for relaxation and fun, a large health club and for those who want luxury and privacy without sacrificing the benefits that offer large cruise ship, the exclusive VIP area MSC Yacht Club.