Ducati's 916 was a tough act to follow. The Ducati 999 bravely broke away from being just a facelift, although while a better bike in most respects, some of the earlier magic was perhaps missing. The Ducati 1098 promises to give Ducatisti the best of both worlds, by combining the practical improvements of the 999 with the looks and presence of the 916.

The members of the the Motorcycle Design Association, made up of the majority of designers active in the motorcycle industry worldwide, clearly agree. They have voted the Ducati 1098 not only the best in its class within the Supersport category, but also the overall best design of 2006, winning this year's Motorcycle Design Trophy.
 
This is the second year Ducati achieved consecutively this prestigious award.
Last year, the Association voted the Hypermotard as the best overall motorcycle design trophy winner for 2005.
 
This award was following on from the ‘Best of Show’ award that was given by MDA to the Hypermotard during the EICMA Show in Milan in November 2005, one of the most important shows worldwide for the motorcycle sector.

The Design Trophy was awarded for the first time in September 2001; since then, every year, over 70 top professionals from the worldwide design sector are called upon to vote for the best motorcycle design. The jury, made up of designers as well as representatives of the press and the main motorcycle manufacturers, gather to chose the winners in five categories, and then nominate the Motorcycle Design Trophy for the best overall motorbike design.

The Ducati 1098 Superbike was launched to the world at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan in November 2006 and, with the Ducati 1098 S Tricolore winning the “Most Beautiful Motorcycle in Show” award, was an immediate success.

The Ducati 1098 is the lightest, fastest stopping, quickest lapping Ducati in history. For the first time Ducati MotoGP and World Superbike technology have been combined to create a premier street bike. The results are stunning.

The look and stance of the Ducati 1098 were designed by the combination of race track technology, track-derived components and Ducati heritage. The Ducati 1098’s striking aerodynamic shape naturally embraces its riding position, configured by our racers and test riders for optimum speed and agility. The racing spirit takes form. Thanks to the forward thinking design and changeability of most components, the Ducati 1098 can quickly be transformed into a real race bike.

Finally, it has been confirmed that the Ducati 1098 Superbike will be available in two additional colors: midnight black and yellow.
The Ducati 1098 will get the striking yellow scheme, matched with black wheels and a grey frame. The vibrant midnight black color is available for the Ducati 1098 S, paired with a red frame and red-trimmed black wheels. Dark aluminum badging will adorn both color schemes. Both colours will be available starting in March 2007.