When you walk into the Ducati factory in Borgo Panigale, Bologna, you'll be greeted by a giant graphic honoring Ducati's 300th victory in the World Superbike series. Carlos Checa, the man who gave Ducati it's 300th win, autographed the sign last weekend before heading to Germany for the 10th round of the 2011 World Superbike season, where he plans on giving Ducati a few more victories.
Checa gave Ducati its 300th win during the first race at Silverstone in July. Shortly afterward, Checa gave the Italian manufacturer it's 301st victory.
After the races Checa said:
"It was a wonderful day. I didn't believe that it would be possible to win here, but we managed to do it twice over. To achieve the 300th win for Ducati is an important result and we are all very happy to have been able to repeat this in race two."
Ducati took its first ever World Superbike win in 1988 at Donington Park. Marco Lucchinelli was the first rider to give Ducati a victory in the WSBK, and since then, 25 more riders have been in the saddle of a Ducati machine. Carl Fogarty, Doug Polen, Troy Corser, Neil Hodgson, Ben Bostrom, James Toseland, Noriyuki Haga, Troy Bayliss, and of course, Carlos Checa, have all notched at least 1 victory for Ducti.
Ducati has earned 155 pole positions, 753 podiums, 13 Rider's and 16 Manufacturers' World Championship titles during its time in the World Superbike series. Carlos Checa has been responsible for 13 of those wins, 23 of those podiums, and 5 of those pole positions.
