From a press release issued by US DESMO:

Pierre Terblanche, Director of Ducati Design, made a four-day visit to the US and was hosted by US DESMO Ducati Owners Club of the United Stated along with support by northeast regional Ducati dealers including: Eastern Cycle Ducati, Beverley, Massachusetts, BCM MotorSports Ducati, Laconia, New Hampshire, North American Warhorse Ducati, Scranton, Pennsylvania, Riverside Ducati, Somerville, Massachusetts, SuperMoto Italia, Long Island, New York, along with SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers, New England Chapter).

Pierre’s presentation titled, “DUCATI – The Art and Design of the Italian Motorcycle” was made before two capacity audiences at the World Trade Center in Boston and the Larz Anderson Museum in Brookline, Massachusetts. Terblanche guided each audience through a rich visual presentation of never before seen images illustrating the arduous process of motorcycle design. He offered a close-up look of the Ducati design studio along with sketches, computer generated graphics, and modeling techniques demonstrating the prototyping steps resulting in the world’s most acclaimed motorcycles. These included the most recent Ducati models Terblanche was responsible for designing including the Super Mono, MH900E, Multi Strada, the entire new line of Sport Classics, and of course the awe inspiring 999 Testastetta Superbike.

Terblanche’s motorcycles have been envied, copied, but are rarely surpassed on the racetrack or in the world of motorcycle design. Renowned as a one of the world’s leading Motorcycle Designers, Pierre answered questions with sincerity and a genuine interest among motorcycle enthusiast of all brands. He did a book signing and added his signature to the custom North American Warhorse Ducati 999S – a bike also signed by Eric Bostrom, Ducati’s AMA Superbike rider. The Warhorse Signature Ducati is displayed at the Scranton dealership and will tour US motorcycle shows and events in 2005.

The event’s organizer, John Rossi, of US DESMO said “accompanying Pierre during four hectic days in Boston was a perfect forum to discuss motorcycles, design philosophy, and growing-up and building things in the wood shop. We talked specifically about marketing among the cultural
spectrums of 40 different counties where Ducati motorcycles are sold and more specifically about the riders of Europe and North America. Pierre is a professional who has been with Ducati for 16 years. He is a gentlemen and a passionate designer with very distinct ideas on design innovation and about the advancements that can be realized in motor sport. It’s easy to admire all of Pierre’s designs — basically every Ducati motorcycle currently made. What resonated most with me about Pierre was my sense that we have not yet come close to seeing his best work. If there is one individual, much like John Britten, who could reengineer motorcycle design, introduce new materials and manufacturing techniques, and reset the bar on ultimate motorcycle performance, it is Pierre Tereblanche. I see Pierre is one man who can take motorcycle design to the next level of defining standards for innovation.

Photos of the event can be seen at www.easterncycleducati.com, www.nawarhorse.com, and www.usdesmo.com. Look for the upcoming Desmo Leanings winter 05 issue, the Magazine for US DESMO Club Members and a special feature on the Terblanche appearance in Boston with highlights of the Art and Design of the Italian Motorcycle.