Ducati North America Reports 43 Percent Growth in 2011

The Company Posted Six-Consecutive Quarters of Growth with Sales Increases in Every North American Region

Cupertino, CA – January 19, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Ducati North America today announced 2011 motorcycle sales growth of 43 percent compared to 2010 and a record market share in all of it’s territories: US, Canada and Mexico. This result established North America as Ducati’s number one market for the first time ever.

Ducati Performance line of apparel and accessories also recorded significant growth with a 50 percent annual increase.

Ducati’s growth was fueled by an expanding product line-up, including the award-winning Diavel and Multistrada. Voted “Best Cruiser of 2011” by several motorcycle magazines, the Diavel accomplishes its goal of capturing and attracting new customers to the brand. The Multistrada, voted “Best Open Street Bike” by Cycle World for the second year in a row, continues to prove its adventure touring capabilities with the successful completion of the historical La Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico along with its second win of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

“Growth in the North American market is a top priority for Ducati. North America’s outstanding performance significantly contributed to Ducati’s global success in 2011, which has been a record year for us in terms of global sales, market share and profitability,” said Cristiano Silei, Chief Executive Officer of Ducati North America. “This year the company made substantial investments in new product, key personnel and in the strength of our distribution network. These elements, combined with an array of extraordinary products, including our new Superbike, the 1199 Panigale, will continue to fuel our growth in 2012 and beyond.”

In 2012, Ducati will refocus its efforts in the sportbike category with the first customer deliveries of the brand’s newest flagship Superbike, the Ducati 1199 Panigale and the 848EVO Corse Special Edition. New additions to the Ducati line-up also include the Diavel AMG, the recently announced Diavel Cromo, as well as the highly anticipatedStreetfighter 848.

Ducati North America also announced the launch of a new retail identity initiative aimed at enhancing the Ducati customer experience.

“The introduction of the retail identity program demonstrates Ducati’s commitment to its core brand values, while building a complete and seamless shopping experience for customers,” said Dominique Cheraki, General Manager of Ducati North America. “We are dedicated to a continual investment in the functional and emotional quality of our products, as well as the premium retail experience.”

For more information about Ducati North America and Ducati’s line of performance motorcycles, please visit www.ducatiusa.com or your local Ducati dealer.

Tim Collins
Public Relations Manager
Ducati North America
Ph. +1.408.343.4414
tim.collins@ducati.com

About Ducati:
Founded in 1926, Ducati has been producing sport-inspired motorcycles since 1946. “Desmodromic” performance engines, innovative design and avant-garde technology characterize its motorcycles. Covering several market segments, Ducati’s range of motorcycles are divided into model families which include: Diavel, Hypermotard, Monster, Multistrada, Streetfighter and Superbike.

These authentic icons of “made in Italy” are sold in over 80 countries around the world, with concentration on the European, North American and Asia Pacific markets. Ducati competes in both the World Superbike Championship and, with an official team, the World MotoGP Championship. In Superbike Ducati has won 17 Manufacturers’ titles and 14 Riders’ titles and in 2011 passed the historic milestone of 300 race victories. Ducati have participated in MotoGP since 2003, and took both the Manufacturers’ and Riders’ titles in 2007.

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Former Cycle World Publisher Larry Little Joins Marketplace Events

CAPISTRANO BEACH, CA – January 12, 2012 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Following a long tenure at the Cycle World magazine brand, it has been announced that motorcycle industry veteran Larry Little has been named Vice President & General Manager, Motorcycle Group, for Marketplace Events, one of North America’s largest producers of consumer shows and events.

In addition to his 25-plus years at Cycle World as Vice President and Publisher, for the past 15 years Little has been elected by industry peers to the board of directors of the Motorcycle Industry Council, and currently serves as its Chairman. First joining the industry in 1978 at Cycle News, Little also holds a Charter Life Membership with the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA).

Little’s role at Marketplace Events will be to develop industry-focused products as the company seeks to broaden its portfolio of offerings.

“Following a year of information gathering through my own company on behalf of Marketplace Events, it was a natural and logical extension to make the move to MPE,” said Little, who most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of The Little Group. “I have been extremely impressed with the management team at Marketplace Events – from their vision and sense of commitment to the markets they currently serve, to the leadership position they have earned in their core market. I’m also thrilled to be joining long-time friend and associate Mike Webster at Marketplace Events.”

Webster, also an AMA Charter Life Member, joined Marketplace Events in May 2008 after a 26-year run at Advanstar Communications, where he managed many of the company’s product groups, including the International Motorcycle Shows, Dealer Expo and Dealernews magazine. With their vast experience in many aspects of the motorcycle marketplace, Webster and Little team up as a formidable duo, having worked together in years past.

“The qualities Larry possesses and his ability to expand the reach of Marketplace Events speaks for itself,” said Webster, who serves as the company’s Vice President. “I’ve known Larry for a long time and his influence on the entire motorcycle industry over the past 30 years is evident. His knowledge and experience is unmatched and we are excited to reach even greater heights with Larry as an integral member of Marketplace Events’ future.”

Webster added, “We’re equally excited to be making a major announcement in the coming weeks about Marketplace Events’ plans for the business of motorcycling. Stay tuned.”

About Marketplace Events
Marketplace Events creates uniquely vibrant marketplaces that connect enthusiasts with experts, products and services in dynamic face-to-face environments.  The company produces 31 consumer shows annually in 21 markets that collectively attract 14,000 exhibitors, 1 million attendees and another 1 million unique web visitors annually.  From 14 offices, the 100-person staff produces some of the most successful and longest-running consumer shows in North America, including market leading home shows in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Indianapolis, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver – some of which have endured for more than 50 years – as well as more recent launches and acquisitions in markets such as Denver, Cleveland and Dallas, which is produced in partnership with Dallas Cowboys Stadium. In 2012, Marketplace Events will launch WIRED Live, a consumer technology event to be held in Washington, D.C., in partnership with WIRED magazine, a Conde Nast Publication. www.marketplaceevents.com

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LeoVince USA Unleashes the New Corsa Factory R on Daytona

RICHMOND, CA – February 2, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Leo Vince USA is pleased to announce the all new Factory R Full Corsa system will be the official exhaust pipe of the Cycle World Attack Performance Kawasaki team when Eric Bostrom and JD Beach launch their assault on Daytona.

Leo Vince’s exclusive relationship with Kawasaki Motorcycle Corporation Japan coupled with their factory deal to sponsor and supply the returning Kawasaki World Superbike team provided unprecedented access to engineer and develop five new systems for the stunning new 2011 ZX-10R.

Photo by Brian J. Nelson

“We are excited to rekindle our relationship with Cycle World, Attack Performance and Kawasaki Motorcycles” noted Tim Calhoun, Executive Vice President Leo Vince USA. “Over the last four years Leo Vince has carved out a winning tradition at Daytona. Our latest exhaust technology, the Corsa Factory R, features superior horsepower gains and weight loss. Combined with Attack Performance’s bike development and the riding talents of JD Beach and Eric Bostrom this should prove an intensely potent combination.”

The new Corsa Factory R features better aerodynamics, decreased weight, and incorporates a new dry carbon fiber technology developed through Moto GP.

Leo Vince plans to begin taking advance orders on the Factory R within the next two weeks. During this time Leo Vince will also debut the entire product line up for the ZX-10R.

To learn more about LeoVince SBK fitments for the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R and the new Factory R email sales@leovinceusa.com or call 510-232-4040.

About Leo Vince USA

LeoVince is a division of Sito Gruppo Industriale based in Monticello d’Alba, Italy. Sito is the largest exhaust manufacturer globally. LeoVince USA brands include SBK for sportbikes, Silvertail for cruisers, Scoot for scooters, X3 for off-road and ATVs and Sito for low-cost OEM replacement. For more information visit LeoVinceUSA.com.

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Team Cycle World Attack Performance Will Debut All-New Kawasaki ZX-10R at Daytona With Rider Eric Bostrom

NEWPORT BEACH, CA – January 14, 2011 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Cycle World, America’s leading motorcycle media brand, is pleased to announce the formation of Team Cycle World Attack Performance. Under the guidance of crew chief Richard Stanboli and with the support of Phil Baker of BCS Management, this newly created road racing team will compete at the opening round of the 2011 AMA Pro Road Racing season March 10-12 at the “World Center of Racing,” Daytona International Speedway, in both the American SuperBike and Daytona SportBike classes.

Four-time AMA national champion Eric Bostrom will anchor the team aboard the all-new 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R in American SuperBike. Bostrom will also compete in the Daytona 200 on a Kawasaki ZX-6R, which, for two years running, has won Best Middleweight honors in Cycle World‘s prestigious Ten Best balloting. Rising star JD Beach will line up alongside Bostrom in the 200 on a second Attack Performance-prepared ZX-6R.

“This new program builds on the success last year of our four-race-weekend American

SuperBike project, during which rider Eric Bostrom and crew chief Richard Stanboli proved that a stock motorcycle built with over-the-counter parts can be competitive at the national level,” said Managing Editor Matthew Miles. “We now want to explore what it will take to make Kawasaki’s new ZX-10R competitive on the racetrack.”

Making its U.S. racing debut this year at Daytona, the 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R features a potent blend of high-performance engine and chassis specifications combined with an exceptional electronics package to create this year’s most significant new liter-class sportbike.

“We are so excited that Cycle World selected the Ninja ZX-10R and ZX-6R to race at Daytona,” said Chris Brull, Director of Marketing Communications for Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. “Eric and JD are two of the most talented racers on the circuit, and we are looking forward to watching these guys make it happen on the track.”

SOURCE: Cycle World

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Lagardere Active Appoints Steve Parr as President and Chief Executive of HFMUS

Parr to Accelerate Strategic Growth and Development Plans Implemented by HFMUS President and CEO Alain Lemarchand

NEW YORK, NY – September 21, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Didier Quillot, Chief Executive Officer of Lagardere Active (www.lagardere.com), parent company of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc., announced today that Steve Parr, an international media and publishing executive, will take over from Alain Lemarchand as President and CEO of the company. Lemarchand will be appointed in a new senior management position within Lagardere Active, effective October 1.

The appointment of Parr is the next step in a multi-year plan for HFMUS; one that began with the re-structuring and repositioning of the company for growth by Lemarchand, brought on as President and CEO by Quillot in September 2008.

Now that the company’s portfolio repositioning and the new brand-centric organization is complete, HFMUS is well-oriented to capture growth. Ad pages, market share and financial numbers are improving in 2010.

Parr’s main objectives will be to increase market share for all brands and maintain strong leadership of ELLE, to pursue the digital development in automotive through Jumpstart Automotive Group and women’s segments (including Woman’s Day), and to implement profitable marketing and monetization strategy integrating print and digital. He will leverage the brand-centric strategy and organization.  Finally, Parr’s focus will be on increasing the business profitability.

Parr’s publishing career spans over 25 years, two continents and includes books, magazines and online properties. He held numerous senior roles within several Pearson PLC operating companies within Canada, England and the US. Parr then went on to begin his career in magazine publishing and became President of Emap USA, President of Primedia Enthusiast Media and, most recently, President of Source Interlink Media. Parr holds a B.A. in Commerce and Economics from the University of Toronto.

Didier Quillot said, “Alain Lemarchand has been decisive in turning around our business and in implementing a new organization in the U.S. I thank him for this major and critical accomplishment. As President of Primedia Enthusiast Media and then Source Interlink Media, Steve Parr successfully developed and managed a wide array of profitable, multi-media properties encompassing websites, magazines, events, licensing, television and radio. His strong track record and experience in publishing will be of great benefit to HFMUS and will allow Lagardere Active to accelerate its development in the U.S.”

About Lagardere Active

Lagardere Active, a subsidiary of Lagardere and a leader in the production and aggregation of multimedia content in France and internationally, was established as a new entity in 2006 uniting the company’s print media, radio, television, advertising sales network and digital activities. In the U.S., Lagardere Active owns Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. (HFMUS) and Cellfish Media.

With its existing talent, resources, content and brands, Lagardere Active owns significant assets in France and around the world, and is looking for opportunities for growth whenever the right opportunities arise. Capitalizing on its expertise in specific sectors such as women, youth and music, the company continues to extend its know-how across a complete range of media including radio, television, magazines, websites and mobile.

About HFMUS

Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc., now branded as HFMUS (hfmus.com) is an innovation-driven company with a heritage as strong brand builders, experts and producers of credible content on all platforms including print, web sites, mobile, television, radio, events, books and other brand extensions.  We look to the future and create it, by developing new ideas and directions to deepen relationships making them more rewarding for our communities. Our engaged audiences of over 40 million people and editorial environments deliver rich opportunities for advertisers and partners. We produce brands in the following categories: Fashion, Beauty and Design (ELLE, ELLE DECOR, and ELLEgirl.com); Women & Wellness (Woman’s Day, Woman’s Day Special Interest Publications); Automotive (Car and Driver and Road & Track as part of Jumpstart Automotive Group); Motorcycling (Cycle World) and Entertainment (Premiere). HFMUS launched Glo, a new online women’s lifestyle brand, with partners MSN and BermanBraun. HFMUS is part of Lagardere’s (lagardere.com) media division Lagardere Active, a producer of special-interest content in more than 40 countries.

SOURCE: Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., Inc.

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Jumpstart Automotive Group Adds PluginCars.com to Its Growing List of Publisher Partners

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – August 11, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Jumpstart Automotive Group, a leading automotive marketing organization, today announced the addition of PluginCars.com to its portfolio of automotive website publishers. PluginCars.com becomes the 13th exclusive publisher in a group that currently consists of Vehix.com, Consumer Guide Automotive, JD Power Autos, Shopping.com Autos, Car and Driver, Road & Track, Cycle World, CarSoup.com, U.S.News Autos, HybridCars, CarGurus and TrueCar.Developed by the web company behind HybridCars.com, PluginCars.com is the first website dedicated to providing consumer information about cars that run on electricity instead of petroleum. As the premier online forum for shoppers, drivers, car manufacturers, municipalities and energy companies, PluginCars.com offers online community tools focused on plug-in cars arriving later this year — the Chevy Volt and Nissan LEAF — as well as 20 other upcoming electric-drive models, including the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, Ford Focus Electric, Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Coda Sedan and Fisker Karma.

“Jumpstart’s publisher group consists of the broadest, most diverse audience of in-market car shoppers and influencers,” said Choon Choi, Vice President of Audience Development at Jumpstart. “It’s a win for our advertising partners that we have expanded our audience to include the first website of its kind dedicated to electric vehicles.”

In addition to community tools focused on individual electric vehicles, PluginCars.com will feature an online user guide to provide trustworthy, easy-to-understand information about how to charge a car, as well as typical driving range, plug-in car economics, and environmental benefits.

Links between HybridCars.com and PluginCars.com provide help to the nearly two million current hybrid owners as they consider migrating to electric cars, since the first adopters of plug-in vehicles are most likely current owners of gas-electric hybrid vehicles.

“With the rise in interest in alternative energy vehicles, PluginCars.com is the ideal information hub for the rapidly expanding list of electric cars and plug-in hybrids entering the market,” said Bradley Berman, CEO of PluginCars.com and HybridCars.com. “We are confident in Jumpstart’s ability to apply their autos experience to maximize the engagement of the automotive marketing community with this exciting new audience.”

About Jumpstart Automotive Group
Jumpstart Automotive Group, part of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., is an expert automotive marketing company. It represents the broadest and most diverse audience of in-market car shoppers and influencers across 13 automotive websites that include Vehix, Consumer Guide Automotive, JD Power Autos, Shopping.com Autos, Car and Driver, Road & Track, Cycle World, CarSoup.com, U.S.News.com, HybridCars, CarGurus, TrueCar, and PlugInCars. Fueled by a passion for performance, Jumpstart Automotive Group is committed to the development of quality content and services for consumers and to maximizing publisher revenue and advertiser results through innovative products and services. Additionally, Jumpstart has been on the forefront of behavioral targeting and is now developing leading research and strategic insights products. For more information, visit JumpstartAutomotiveGroup.com.

About PluginCars.com and HybridCars.com
Founded in 2003, HybridCars.com is the Internet’s premier website dedicated to hybrid gas-electric vehicles and the full range of consumer information and tools about cars, energy, and the environment. PluginCars.com was launched as a sister site in May 2010. The mission of both sites is to provide trustworthy, clear information about the next generation of alternative energy vehicles, creating a movement of consumers eager to purchase cars and trucks that use less oil, have a smaller environmental impact and are fun to drive. Content from the websites is syndicated to Yahoo!Autos, Reuters, and numerous newspaper, television and radio station websites.

SOURCE: Jumpstart Automotive Group

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Jumpstart Automotive Group Adds Cycle World to Its Marketing and Publishing Network

Sales and Marketing Responsibilities at Cycle World Shift as Larry Little Steps Down, Andrew Leisner Assumes New VP Role

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – August 6, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Jumpstart Automotive Group, an expert automotive marketing and media network, today announced it has added Cycle World, the nation’s premier resource of motorcycle performance information, to its roster of vehicle shopping and enthusiast brands. Jumpstart’s team of vehicle marketing experts is now responsible for Cycle World’s magazine and digital advertising sales, as well as overall operations for the popular motorcycle brand.

With the addition of Cycle World, Jumpstart now represents 13 well-known media brands that include Vehix, Consumer Guide Automotive, JD Power Autos, Shopping.com Autos, Car and Driver, Road & Track, CarSoup, U.S.News, HybridCars, CarGurus, TrueCar, and PlugInCars.

Additionally, sales and marketing responsibilities at Cycle World have shifted, as Larry Little — the publication’s Chief Brand Officer — steps down and Andrew Leisner, a 30-plus-year motorsports veteran and senior-level marketing executive, takes over as Vice President of Integrated Sales & Marketing. Leisner will report directly to Nick Matarazzo, CEO of Jumpstart Automotive Group.

“Not only is Cycle World the go-to guide for anything pertaining to the motorcycle industry, it’s also a longstanding brand within the HFM U.S. family,” said Matarazzo. ”It makes perfect sense that Cycle World’s robust motorcycle information and services be added to Jumpstart’s broad and diverse network of vehicle shopping and enthusiast properties. We’re excited about this latest addition and we look forward to broadening the Cycle World brand and establishing new partnerships under Andrew Leisner’s leadership.”

Leisner has spent his entire career in motorcycling, and has worked in publishing, advertising, sponsorship sales and implementation, high level contract negotiation, media property management and sales, licensing, new-media marketing, event operations, racing PR and promotions, merchandising, competition-rule making and ticketing.

In his new role at Cycle World, Leisner will oversee all sales and revenue strategies across the brand’s print and digital media platforms. Corey Eastman, Cycle World’s Vice-president of Brand Development, retains his role. Libby Hartung has been promoted to Western Sales Director and Dennis Scully has been promoted to Eastern Sales Director. Katie Kovaleff assumes responsibility for the aftermarket category. Mark Hoyer, Vice President of Brand Content and Editor-in-Chief, continues leading the rapid evolution of Cycle World’s content strategy, and will now report to Jumpstart’s COO, Grant Whitmore.

“Jumpstart Automotive Group has been making decisive moves to deliver multi-platform opportunities that tap into the brand essence of the diverse, high-performance media companies that we bring to the table, while also offering the consumer reach, performance and insights like no other competitor,” Matarazzo continued.

About Jumpstart Automotive Group
Jumpstart Automotive Group, part of Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S., is an expert automotive marketing company. It represents the broadest and most diverse audience of in-market car shoppers and influencers across 13 automotive websites that include Vehix, Consumer Guide Automotive, JD Power Autos, Shopping.com Autos, Car and Driver, Road & Track, Cycle World, CarSoup, U.S.News, HybridCars, CarGurus, TrueCar, and PlugInCars. Fueled by a passion for performance, the Jumpstart Automotive Group is committed to the development of quality content and services for consumers and to maximizing publisher revenue and advertiser results through innovative products and services. Additionally, Jumpstart has been on the forefront of behavioral targeting and is now developing leading research and strategic insights products. For more information, visit JumpstartAutomotiveGroup.com.

About Cycle World
Cycle World is the premier source of motorcycle performance information for the ultimate motorcycle hobbyist. With editorial content covering everything from technical reviews to professional profiles and competition coverage, each issue of this monthly publication serves to inform and inspire. Whether you’re a sport tourist or a skilled sport rider, Cycle World is your go-to guide for anything pertaining to the motorcycle industry, including information about the latest gadgets, detailed model reviews and performance tests, product comparisons, expert opinion and more. Cycle World encourages you to make an informed buying decision by providing you with information to help you get the best products at the best prices.

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Valentino Rossi Yamaha R1 to be auctioned for charity

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – July 28, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Bonhams is very proud to have been selected to represent a truly one-of-a-kind motorcycle offered in collaboration with the most successful motorcycle racer of his era, Valentino Rossi.

As written about in the April issues of both Cycle World and Motorcyclist, a highly upgraded and customized 2009 Yamaha YZF-R1 1000cc – the civilian version of the MotoGP bike campaigned by World Champion Rossi – will be offered for sale at Bonhams’ annual Classic California auction this coming November.

Sporting Rossi’s personal “Five Continents” AGV helmet design, this amazing and very specialized motorcycle was the brainchild of former racing champion and AMA Hall of Famer Don Emde.  Emde founded the non-profit Friends of Riders For Health to further the cause in America of Riders For Health, a charitable organization that brings life-saving medicines to people in remote areas of Africa by way of motorcycles. As a way to generate funds for Riders For Health, Emde conceived of this project and then invited the “who’s who” of the motorcycling world to participate.

“Once we got Rossi’s blessing, everyone jumped aboard,” says Emde. Yamaha Motor Corp. USA donated the brand new stock machine, Aldo Drudi translated the graphics from Rossi’s helmet to the R1’s special bodywork imported from Italy, Roland Sands donated Ronin wheels, Bridgestone added BT-003 tires, Öhlins gave suspension, Akrapovic provided exhaust, EBC did brakes, and the list goes on – Vortex, Goodridge, Dynojet, etc. Just with improvements the bike’s value is nearly $30,000, and that’s without the significance of the project and Rossi’s involvement.

This incredible team effort R1, personally autographed by Rossi, will be presented in “track day” trim but it is fully street legal and will be offered with all the necessary accessories and California title. On top of that, Yamaha will donate a day at the Yamaha Champions Riding School for the winning bidder.

The Bonhams Classic California Auction will be held at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles on Saturday, November 13th. Parties interested in bidding on this extraordinary machine – in person or remotely – may register to bid and order a sales catalog at bonhams.com/petersen.

Sellers interested in consigning a unique collector car or motorcycle to this anticipated sale may call 415-391-4000 or e-mail one of the following Bonhams specialists:

• Nick Smith, Los Angeles, nick.smith@bonhams.com
• Mark Osborne, San Francisco, mark.osborne@bonhams.com

To learn more about the team behind this project, visit FriendsOfRiders.org. For the Riders For Health website, go to Riders.org.

SOURCE: Bonhams & Butterfields

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Ducati Wins the Prestigious Cycle World “10 Best” Award for the Multistrada 1200 S Sport

CUPERTINO, CA – July 13, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – Ducati North America and Cycle World Magazine are proud to announce today the award for “Best Open Streetbike” of 2010 to the new Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Sport.

As part of Cycle World’s “10 Best” awards, which have been given annually since 1976, the title of “Best Open Streetbike” is one of the most desirable accolades in the entire motorcycle industry. Ducati is especially proud of its Multistrada 1200 S Sport getting this year’s nod as Best Open Streetbike, as the Multistrada is a perfect fit. The title honors the Multistrada’s great versatility in all segments; not just limiting it to the Dual Sport, Sport Tourer, or Superbike classes. Cycle World states this in their review:

“Corner carving in many regions has degenerated into an endurance contest, wherein hardened enthusiasts suffer through hours of low bars, high pegs and thin seats in a quest for sportbikedom’s Holy Grail, the apex. This is why the 2010 Ducati Multistrada 1200 S Sport is a revelation. With its broad, high-leverage handlebar and bolt-upright ergonomics, a punchy, superbike-sourced 135-horsepower liquid-cooled V-Twin and 17-inch wheels, the newest Multi is comfortable and fun and fast everywhere—a true horizon-expander.”

The Multistrada 1200 S Sport has only been on the market for two months and it has already deemed itself worthy of the prestigious award. For the customers who ordered their bike after the model’s announcement in 2009, it has proved more than worth the wait.

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GEICO Powersports joins Ride for Kids as national insurance sponsor

ASHEVILLE, NC – July 8, 2010 – (Motor Sports Newswire) – GEICO Powersports has made a multiyear commitment as the exclusive national insurance sponsor of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation’s Ride for Kids® program.

This “Champion of the Kids” sponsorship brings together the nation’s leading motorcycle charity and one of the country’s largest auto insurance companies to help work toward a cure for childhood brain tumors.

“We are very excited to enter this partnership with GEICO Powersports,” said Kyle Clack, national director of the Ride for Kids® program. “They have made a significant commitment to forwarding our mission. GEICO’s corporate culture emphasizes safety, integrity and attention to detail, and is a great match to the way we run our events and our organization.”

“We are so proud to participate in the Ride for Kids program,” said Thomas Garner, national director of the GEICO motorcycle division. “The work the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation does to help ensure that our children and their families stay healthy is absolutely vital.

“A lot of motorcycle enthusiasts are involved in the Ride for Kids program,” Garner continued. “They know the PBTF has made great strides to improve survival and cure rates for children with brain tumors, and that more kids are living longer because of its research. GEICO is looking forward to being a part of these efforts to support our children and our community.”

GEICO joins the Honda Riders Club of America (HRCA) and Cycle World on the Ride for Kids® sponsorship roster. HRCA has been the presenting sponsor of the program since 1991.

About GEICO Powersports
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) – as part of Berkshire Hathaway – is the third-largest private auto insurer in the United States. GEICO provides auto insurance coverage for 9 million policyholders and insures more than 16 million vehicles. In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), recreational vehicles (RVs), boats, homes, apartments and mobile homes. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection and life insurance are also available. As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company and ranks at the top of several national customer satisfaction surveys. For more information, go to geico.com.

About the PBTF Ride for Kids®
The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation® (PBTF) and the Ride for Kids® program promote childhood brain tumor research and provide family support through free literature about brain tumors, educational newsletters, online conferences and college scholarships. The 2010 Ride for Kids® season continues on July 11 with an event in South Bend, Ind. For more information, go to www.rideforkids.org or call 800-253-6530

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