From a press release issued by Ducati Corse Press Information:

DUCATI CORSE AND FILA RACE TOGETHER

Partnership agreement reached between the two Italian companies to develop a line of innovative Ducati Corse/Fila branded apparel/footwear and sponsor the official Superbike and MotoGP teams.

Bologna, 5 December 2002 – Ducati Corse S.r.l. and Fila Holding S.p.A. have announced a broad-based partnership agreement covering sponsorship and the official supply of apparel, footwear and accessories for riders and engineers in Ducati Corse’s two official Superbike and MotoGP teams, and for the first time ever, the development of sportswear collections inspired by the fascinating world of motorcycle racing.

Fila will act as Title Sponsor for the official Superbike team, which will be known as Team Ducati Fila, as well as appearing on the bikes and racing suits of riders in Team Ducati Marlboro MotoGP as sponsor.

The two-year agreement will run from January 2003 and includes an exclusive world licence for Fila to use the “Ducati Corse” brand to develop and market garments, footwear and accessories for sport and leisurewear.

Under the terms of this agreement, Fila will develop two distinct collections (starting from autumn/winter 2003), based on the Superbike and the MotoGP teams, that represent the values of style, design, performance and passion that both companies share.

The collections will be marketed through the network of Ducati Stores and Ducati dealers, through Fila Sport.Life Stores and the best fashion and sportswear outlets. Products can also be purchased through the companies’ respective websites at www.ducati.com and www.fila.com.

According to the agreement, the two official Ducati teams, with Loris Capirossi and Troy Bayliss competing in the MotoGP championship, and Neil Hodgson and Ruben Xaus in Superbike, will endorse the two lines of Ducati by Fila apparel at leading racetracks throughout the world as a way of promoting the products and brands established by the new partnership.