When Loris Capirossi won backto-
back MotoGP races last September in Japan
and Sepang, there was a feeling of elation
among all of Team Ducati when after only three
years of racing they were finally able to dent the
dominance of the Japanese marques.
A similar feeling of elation is likely to engulf the
winning bidder for the same Desmosedici GP5
that Capirossi rode to victory in the Sepang race
when it goes to auction at the second annual
Monterey Classic Bike Auction later this month.
"Talk about rare and unobtainable," said Gavin
Trippe of MCBA. "Bikes that win a MotoGP race
are just not available anywhere, let alone one
that took the checkers twice in a row after also grabbing the pole in both races. What an amazing
machine!"
The Ducati joins a growing roster of dozens of collectible motorcycles that have surfaced since last
year's highly successful debut of the Monterey Classic Bike Auction, which was held - as it will be
again this year - the same weekend as the MotoGP at Laguna Seca.
"The general feeling is that this Capirossi bike could go for upwards of half a million dollars, which
would easily set a record for a motorcycle at auction," says Trippe. "But balancing that big number
are many fantastic bikes in the five to ten thousand dollar range - perfect for someone who wants
to start collecting these mechanical works of art."
Photos and pedigrees of bikes ranging from rarities like a 1929 Bohmerland and a 1923 "Famous
James" 750 V-Twin, to recent racers like the Desmosedici GP5 and two Suzuki GSX-R1000s from
the Michael Jordan stable, are online at www.montereyclassicbikeauction.com. Also on the site are
registration forms for buyers and sellers, and extensive information about this year's auction taking
place July 20-22 at the Portola Plaza Hotel in Monterey.
Importantly, bidders do not have to be onsite to participate. An easy-to-use online simulcast bidding
system enables prospective buyers to bid in real time at their computer screen from anywhere in
the world. In fact, a third of last year's MCBA bikes were ultimately purchased by online bidders.
