Image: RBMotoLens

DesmoSport Ducati has unveiled an updated livery that will feature on Broc Pearson’s new 2023 Ducati Panigale V4 R for the remainder of this year’s Mi-Bike Australian Superbike Championship (ASBK).

Pearson contested the first five rounds of this year’s championship on the team’s existing V4 Rs, with the fresh platform to provide the base of his assault into the final rounds.

In line with the transition to the 2023 model V4 R, the team revealed a striking new livery design on Friday’s Ducati Track Day powered by DesmoSport Ducati at Phillip Island.

“Changing to the new bike, we didn’t want to just put the same kit on it and go racing,” explained DesmoSport Ducati co-owner Ben Henry. “It deserved an update and I’m really happy with what we’ve come up with.

“There’s colours and concepts that we’ve used from the Ducati MotoGP and WorldSBK bikes, and we’ve spent a lot time, in particular Ken [Rahley] and myself, building the bikes back at Cube [Performance Centre] to arrive at what you see right now. We’ve pulled every nut and bolt from the bike to inspect every component and put a lot of emphasis on the power-to-weight ratio and heat management.”

DesmoSport Ducati co-owner Troy Bayliss added: “The team has put a lot of effort into the new bikes, taking the time to build them from the ground up, and not rushing to get them on track After some initial testing, it’s clear that the gearbox update in the new V4 R, that’s been in the V4 S for some time, is something that we’ve been missing on the track. It’s been a long mid-season break, so I think we’re all looking forward to getting back on the track for round 6 at Phillip Island at the end of the month.”

Pearson scored his best overall result of the ASBK season to date last time at Morgan Park where he was fourth overall, and will look to build on that momentum when round six takes place at Phillip Island between 27-29 October.