This week #wheeliwednesday is with the delectable Ducati 1098 R. The 1098 R was the first motorcycle I rode with a traction control system that actually worked well enough to be a help rather than hindrance. Eight-stages of traction control and it was very cool feeling it breakaway a little as you crossed the little dip after the bridge, then feel the electronics rein it in before heading towards Hayshed. This is a little lift on change of direction coming out of MG Hairpin before tipping into 11 and winding up through there at speed, before quietly shitting myself a bit while tipping in to 12, I have never taken the same line twice so it is always an adventure ;-) There are parts of the Phillip Island Circuit that really are amazing to ride, even for someone that is not a racer or proper fast. Turn three is the ultimate, even I am brave enough to wind it on through there, while remembering how Casey Stoner took those turns and thinking how I would perhaps spontaneously combust with excitement if managing to do that through there. But there is only bloke that can do turn three like that, I guess that is why they named it after him! Siberia is cool too. Hayshed starts to get all a bit too fast for this softy, but I do love the run up and around Lukey Heights before getting on the picks hard late coming down the other side. The sound of the short-shift out of MG and the pop of the front, before pulling it back over to the left for 11 #bliss Portimao is the only other place that has made me as excited and awe inspired, that is an amazing place to ride around and I am lucky enough to have done a few days there. As for racing around there, jaysus… That is a frightening prospect, all those blind entries and undulations are great fun at track day speed and while larking about, but 100 per cent commitment around there would take some balls. As a Perth boy, I also have to say that for me the left-hander and transition across back to the right for sky-line, along with the run out of the basin hold specials places in my memory at Wanneroo. Enjoy your Wednesday and have a wheelie good day! #Ducati #PhillipIsland #PhillipIslandGPCircuit #Portimao (at Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit) https://www.instagram.com/p/ChD-lKnP11L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
