From a press release issued by Ducati Corse:

THE TWO-SEATER DESMOSEDICI MAKES ITS DEBUT AT MUGELLO

The International Race-Track of Mugello – Making its debut at the Italian GP in Mugello will be the Ducati two-seater Desmosedici. This full-blooded MotoGP bike is virtually identical to the ones raced by Ducati Marlboro Team riders, Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss, and has been specially designed by Borgo Panigale’s racing division to let guests and VIPs experience the thrill of the Desmosedici’s 220+ BHP! At certain GP venues (Mugello, Barcelona, Donington, Estoril, Valencia) celebrities from the world of entertainment, fashion, cinema and sport will be selected to ride pillion – and enjoy the unforgettable exhilaration of a high-speed lap around the track.

The “two-seater” Desmosedici will be ridden by none other than Randy Mamola – a name that guarantees a perfect mix of talent, skill, technique and just a pinch of calculated recklessness that is sure to offer up a shiver of excitement for those lucky enough to take to the track with him.

“I tried out the bike last Friday in France, on the Ladoux circuit!” says Mamola, “and it is simply fantastic. I can’t wait to try it out at Mugello and give my passengers the chance to experience the same thrill.”

For the first time, then, a passenger will be able to experience the excitement of riding a real 4-stroke MotoGP motorcycle. A privilege reserved for a lucky few who’ll be getting a first-hand taste of just how fast and powerful this amazing bike is.

The modifications made to the “two-seater” version essentially regard allowances for the presence of a passenger. While there is a different suspension set-up, all the other key components – the frame and the generous Ducati V4 engine – remain unchanged. The saddle support has, of course, been fully re-designed and reinforced to take a passenger and the fuel tank now features two slots which house safety grips, indispensable for the passenger to offset the incredible forces of acceleration and into-the-bend braking. Additional footrests complete the two-seater kit.