Ever since publication of the first volume in Alan Cathcart’s hands-on history of the Ducati desmo V-twins’ glorious participation in World Superbike racing covering the period from 1988 to 2001, readers have been eagerly awaiting Volume Two, recounting the evolution of these models from 2002 up until their replacement in 2019 by the V4 R.

Now that book is available, continuing Alan’s unique evaluation of each successive example of the Ducati factory’s Superbike racers, as the only journalist permitted to test ride these fabulous machines season after season. It’s a gripping and informative tale from the hotseat of how the Italian manufacturer confronted the challenge of the four-cylinder contenders from Japan, Germany and its compatriots Aprilia at the highest level of Superbike competition, sometimes successfully, sometimes not over a total of three decades – but always with brio, and persistent dedication to its trademark desmo V-twin format.

This is a large format (cm 30×23) prestige volume, printed on quality paper, with 180 pages and a hardback cover, with the text in both Italian and English. It’s a limited edition, individually numbered book.