Good news travels fast - Ducati Panigale wins design award

The Ducati 1199 Panigale has won the Compasso d'Oro design award, the first time a motorcycle has been presented with Italy's most important design award. Awarded every three years by the Associazione per il Disegno Industriale the prize is intended to celebrate the quality of Italian design. It means that the  Panigale becomes part of the “Compasso d'Oro Collection”, recognised by Ministry of Cultural Heritage & Activities as “of exceptional artistic and historical interest”

 

Now, pretty and clever as the Panigale is, don't you wonder where these people have been all these years? But then past winners have included a bean bag and any number of light fittings. So where were the judges when the 916 was launched? And, chatting to Ducati UK's MD last week, we think the clever money should be looking at the 999. Once everyone's forgotten the kicking the bully boys in the press gave it, and just looks at it again with an open mind -and considers its record in World Superbikes - it will be recognised as the beautiful, brilliant all round superbike it always was.