Introduction

In 2004 Loris Capirossi will be commencing an unprecedented 15th season at world championship level, and a second successive MotoGP year for the Ducati MotoGP Team with the Ducati Desmosedici #65. Experience is one of the most important characteristics required by a rider, but if this is accompanied by enthusiasm, courage, generosity and geniality, that rider turns into a champion and inevitably becomes a darling of the crowd. Loris fits the description perfectly and as a result is one of the most popular riders in the world today. Instinctive, loyal, true to his nature, and above all ultra-fast, Loris always gives 100% on every lap as he fights for the podium or a win.

Loris's debut season with the legendary Italian Ducati marque could not have gone better. The Desmosedici was right on the pace from winter testing onwards and Loris shocked the MotoGP establishment by first breaking the top-speed record during pre-season IRTA testing at Barcelona with 328.2 km/h, the highest ever reached by a racing bike. But Loris wasn't satisfied and improved the record to an incredible 332.4 km/h on the Mugello straight during the Italian GP.

The first round at Suzuka confirmed the potential of the Desmosedici and Loris took it onto the podium in its very first race! A second place resulted in the Italian GP at Mugello, but it was one week later that Capirossi made motorcycle racing history as he powered the Desmosedici to its maiden win at Barcelona. This was the first win by an Italian rider on an Italian bike in 27 years of grand prix racing. Three further podiums followed at Estoril, Phillip Island and Valencia, earning Loris a fantastic fourth place finish in his first year on a full-factory GP bike, and at the Valencia championship finale in November, Loris reached another important landmark as he notched up 200 GPs.

1. 2004: MotoGP World Championship (Ducati Desmosedici)
2. 2003: 4th - MotoGP World Championship (Ducati Desmosedici)
3. 2002: 8th - MotoGP World Championship (Honda)
4. 2001: 3rd - 500 World Championship (Honda)
5. 2000: 7th - 500 World Championship (Honda)
6. 1999: 3rd - 250 World Championship (Honda)
7. 1998: 1st - 250 World Championship (Aprilia)
8. 1997: 6th - 250 World Championship (Aprilia)
9. 1996: 10th - 500 World Championship (Yamaha)
10. 1995: 6th - 500 World Championship (Honda)
11. 1994: 3rd - 250 World Championship (Honda)
12. 1993: 2nd - 250 World Championship (Honda)
13. 1992: 12th - 250 World Championship (Honda)
14. 1991: 1st - 125 World Championship (Honda)
15. 1990: 1st - 125 World Championship (Honda)
16. 1989: 4th - 125 European Championship (Honda)
17. 1988: 9th - 125 European Championship (Mancini)
18. 1987: 6th - 125 Italian Production Championship (Honda)
19. 1986: First motocross events

This information was kindly provided by www.ducati.com