The GP5 with which Loris won last year’s GP of Malaysia will go to auction in Monterey during the weekend of the US GP at Laguna Seca. The feeling of elation amongst all of the Ducati team and fans when Loris Capirossi won the race at the Sepang circuit last September will likely be experienced by the winning bidder for the same Desmosedici GP5 that the Italian rode to victory in that race, when it is auctioned off at the 2nd Monterey Classic Bike Auction (www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com). After noting the success and professionalism of last year’s auction, Ducati, which has never before made a MotoGP machine available for this kind of activity, welcomed with enthusiasm the request made by the organizers to have a Desmosedici machine as pride of place in the auction. Knowing that one of Borgo Panigale’s most prized ‘jewels’ will be the subject of bidding amongst Ducati’s numerous aficionados is a source of pride for the Italian manufacturer, which has always made passion, tenacity and competence the hallmarks of everyone that contributes to the brand’s position in the world. The auction will be held at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey during the weekend of the US GP at Laguna Seca, California (July 21-23). Bidders do not have to be onsite to participate, because an online simulcast bidding programme enables prospective buyers to bid in real time at their computer screens from anywhere in the world.